Sports and Torts: Bob Kuechenberg Part One

Sports and Torts: Bob Kuechenberg Part Two

Bob Kuechenberg

The Philadelphia Eagles originally drafted Bob Kuechenberg in the fourth round of the
1969 National Football League Draft. Cut by the Eagles, Kuechenberg subsequently signed
and was almost immediately released by the Atlanta Falcons. Finally, in 1970, after playing
seven games – five without pay – with the Chicago Owls of the semi-pro Continental Football
League, the former Notre Dame lineman was inked to a free agent contract with the Miami
Dolphins. Kuechenberg, who never gave up on his dream of playing in the NFL, was working
as a salesman when he signed his Dolphins contract. In true “underdog wins” fashion,
Kuechenberg went on to become a mainstay on the Dolphins’ offensive line for 14 seasons.
He spent a 15th and final season on the Dolphins injured reserve list.
The Dolphins during Bob’s tenure won seven AFC Eastern Division titles (1971, 1972,
1973, 1974, 1979, 1981, and 1983), four AFC championships (1971, 1972, 1973, and 1982),
and NFL titles in Super Bowls VII and VIII.


A tremendous competitor, the 6-2, 253-pound lineman was named to six Pro Bowls
(1975, 1976, 1978, 1979, 1983, 1984) during his career and by the time of his retirement
played in more games (196) than any other player in Dolphins history. Dan Marino has since
surpassed that mark. Kuechenberg was also the only player to play in all 19 playoff games in
Dolphins history at that time.


A versatile player, Kuechenberg played on both the offensive and defensive lines at
Notre Dame. With the Dolphins he also saw duty as a tackle and center. In 1978, he played
eight games at guard and seven at the left tackle spot, earning a Pro Bowl berth as a guard
and Sporting News All-AFC honors as a tackle. In 1983, he handled snapping chores on field
goal attempts. Of 195 regular season and playoff starts, 31 were at the left tackle position.
Durable, Kuechenberg rarely missed a game. A first- or second-team All-Pro choice in
1975, 1977, and 1978, Kuechenberg had consecutive start streaks of 53, 42, and 49 games
during his career. In 1973, he sat out the season finale with a fractured forearm, but returned
for the playoffs and effectively shutout the Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame defensive tackle
Alan Page in the Dolphins’ Super Bowl VIII victory. An ankle injury caused him to miss the
last four games of the 1976 season. In 1977, he suffered a pair of fractures in his back in
August, yet managed to return to the starting lineup after missing just two regular season
games. However, following a year on the Dolphins injured reserve list in 1984,
Kuechenberg, the Dolphins’ “old pro,” announced his retirement from the game.

Learn more about Bob at his Website