Former Dolphins guard Kuechenberg dies at age 71

MIAMI — Former Miami Dolphins guard Bob Kuechenberg, a six-time Pro Bowl selection and member of the only National Football League team to achieve a perfect season, died at age 71. His death Saturday was confirmed by the Dolphins, who had no further details. Kuechenberg joined the Dolphins as a free agent in 1970, coach Don Shula’s first season, and played for them until ’83. He started every game for the team that went 17-0 in ’72, and started 16 games for the team that repeated as Super Bowl champions in ’73. Kuechenberg was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a member of the Dolphins’ Honor Roll. A native of Gary, Ind., Kuechenberg played at Notre Dame before being drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1969 but never played for them. Kuechenberg’s 196 games with the Dolphins was a team record until Dan Marino broke it.