Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti during a 14-7 win over the Miami Dolphins in Super Bowl VII on January 14, 1973 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Vernon Biever/NFL)

Kansas City Chiefs running back Ed Podolak (14), who had 350 total yards, tries to get past Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti (85) during the 1971 AFC Playoff, a Dolphins double-overtime victory on December 25, 1971, at Kansas City Municipal Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. This game was, and remains, the longest NFL game ever played. (Rod Hanna/NFL)

Miami Dolphins Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti sits on the bench during a 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII on January 14, 1973 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (George Long/NFL)

Linebacker Nick Buoniconti #85 of the Miami Dolphins looks into the opposing backfield against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 31, 1971 in Los Angeles, California. The Dolphins defeated the Rams 20-14. (James Flores/NFL Photos/Getty Images)

Running back Willie Ellison #33 of the Los Angeles Rams tries to elude linebacker Nick Buoniconti #85 of the Miami Dolphins at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 31, 1971 in Los Angeles, California. The Dolphins defeated the Rams 20-14. (James Flores/NFL Photos/Getty Images)

Linebackers Nick Buoniconti #85 and Bob Matheson #53 of the Miami Dolphins run in pursuit against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 31, 1971 in Los Angeles, California. The Dolphins defeated the Rams 20-14. (James Flores/NFL Photos/Getty Images)

Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti #85 of the Miami Dolphins poses for a portrait circa 1970 in Miami, Florida. (Pro Football Hall Of Fame)

Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti #85 of the Miami Dolphins poses. (Associated Press)

Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti #85 of the Miami Dolphins poses. (Associated Press)

Nick Buoniconti, shown in this undated photo, was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Saturday Jan. 27, 2001. Buoniconti was elected as the oldtimers candidate, a category reserved for players who completed at least 70 percent of their careers by 1976. (Associated Press)

Former Miami Dolphins great Nick Buoniconti holds his bronze bust after enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio Saturday, Aug. 4, 2001. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Boston Patriots' line backer Nick Buoniconti is seen, Aug. 1967. (Associated Press)

Former Miami Dolphin player and members of the 1972 undefeated team, Nick Buoniconti, in introduced during the half time show of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in Miami. All the members of the 1972 team were honored. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

Nick Buoniconti, guard for Notre Dame, is shown in 1960. (Associated Press)

Doug Swift, left, Mike Kolen (57) and Nick Buoniconti (85) of the Miami Dolphins seen January 7, 1974. (AP Photo/Fred Kaufman)

Miami linebacker Nick Buoniconti, left, and fullback Larry Csonka, the leading rusher of Sunday?s Bowl game, chat after breakfast in their hotel quarters, Monday, Jan. 14, 1974 on Houston. (AP Photo/Charles Knoblock)

Miami Dolphin middle linebacker Nick Buoniconti and Coach Don Shula watch a team workout. Buoniconti predicts the Dolphins' defense will regain the stature it had in the club's Super Bowl years after a shaky 1974 effort, July 23, 1975 in Miami. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)