Former Patriots and Dolphins linebacker Nick Buoniconti died on Wednesday after a battle with dementia, the Dolphins announced. Buoniconti was 78.
Buoniconti was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. He was a five-time All-Pro and two-time Super Bowl champion and won the Lombardi Trophy with the Dolphins in 1972 and 1973.
Buoniconti played the first seven years of his career with the Patriots from 1962-68 before playing seven seasons with the Dolphins from 1969-76.
The Notre Dame product tallied 32 interceptions, which stands as the third-most by any linebacker in NFL history.