Springfield City Wire

This week in Hampden County history.

Nick Buoniconti died July 30, 2019, at age 78

Nick Buoniconti died on July 30, 2019, at age 78. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on December 15, 1940, he attended Cathedral High School and later played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He was drafted by the Boston Patriots in 1962 and played for them until 1968. He then joined the Miami Dolphins, where he played from 1969 to 1974 and again in 1976. Buoniconti was known for his leadership and defensive skills. He was a key contributor to the Dolphins' victories in Super Bowl VII and VIII. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. After retiring from football, he became a sports agent. In 1985, his son Marc was paralyzed during a college football game, leading Buoniconti to co-found the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. He remained active in spinal cord injury research until his death.