(RightIsRight.co) – Many will remember him as a huge sports legеnd at both the college and professional levels during the 1960s and 1970s, and now, sadly, Auburn University has informed the world that former NFL Miami Dolphins linebacker Mike ‘Captain Crunch’ Kolen has passed away at 76.
Kolen played at Auburn, where he earned All-SEC honors twice during his junior and senior years.
Known for his hard-hitting style, he lеd the team in tackles in 16 out of 25 gamеs he started between 1967 and 1969, which got him the nickname ‘Captain Crunch’ from his teammate Robert Margeson.
The National Football League player was also honored as the inaugural recipient of the National Christian Athlete of the Year Award.
Kolen’s contributions as a linеbacker for the Miami Dolphins were fundamental in the team’s success, which included winning two Super Bowls as part of the undefeated 1972 season and securing back-to-back Super Bowl victories.
After eight seasons with the Dolphins, Kolen retired in 1977 and pursued real estate ventures and he owned multiple businesses, such as fitness centers and financial services firms.
Despite his achievements on the field, the NFL legend acknowledged the toll that football took on his body over the years.
In 2014 he said during an interview: ‘I never tried to hurt anybody, but football is a physical game. I enjoyed that part of it. I’m not really enjoying it so much now, because it’s all coming home for me.”
Later, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, which he attributed to his football career.
The sports community mourns Kolen’s passing. The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame said on X: “We mourn the passing of 1985 Inductee Mike Kolen. Kolen was the leading tackler in 16 of 25 games that he started in at Auburn University from 1967-1969.”
“Mike Kolen is one of the finest men I’ve ever known,” said former Auburn Athletics Director and Sports Information David Housel. “Being a football player was secondary to Mike Kolen. He’s one of the greatest football players Auburn ever had, but he was much more. A rock, a beacon.”
Mike had a great life with his wife, Nancy, his two children, Kelly and John, and his five grandchildren. Yet, details about his death remain unknown.
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