The Miami Dolphins are mourning the loss of another key member of the 1970s dynasty after former running back Jim Kiick died at the age of 73.
Dolphins announced that former standout running back Jim Kiick has died. He was 73. pic.twitter.com/jdJShWI1CK
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 20, 2020
Kiick’s death comes three years after it became public that the former Dolphins running back was dealing with dementia-related issues due to his years of playing football.
In seven seasons with the Dolphins, Kiick gained 3,644 yards on the ground and scored 28 touchdowns, while also catching 221 passes for 2,210 yards and three scores.
Kiick was selected in the fifth round of the 1968 draft and served as the perfect complement to teammate Larry Csonka in the team’s backfield. The two players’ compatibility earned them the nicknames of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, with Kiick serving in the latter role.
In March 1974, Kiick, Csonka and Paul Warfield stunned the Dolphins and NFL by signing future deals with the fledgling World Football League (WFL).
The Dolphins were coming off two consecutive Super Bowl titles when the deals were signed, with the team losing a heartbreaking playoff matchup to the Oakland Raiders during the trio’s final season together in 1974.
After the WFL folded the following year, Kiick resurfaced in the NFL the following year with the Denver Broncos before closing out his career with both the Broncos and Washington Redskins.
Kiick’s death marks the second consecutive month that the Dolphins have had to say goodbye to one of their legends after Don Shula passed away at the age of 90 on May 4.
