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Former NFL running back Jim Kiick dies at 73

Kiick was a star at the University of Wyoming and played for the Broncos for one season. He's best known for being a member of the 1972 Dolphins.
Credit: AP
FILE - In this 1973 file photo, Miami Dolphins running back Jim Kiick poses for a photo. Former running back Kiick, who helped the Dolphins achieve the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972, has died at age 73. In recent years Kiick battled memory issues and lived in an assisted living home, and the team announced his death Saturday, June 20, 2020. (AP Photo/GB, File)

MIAMI — Jim Kiick, the versatile running back who helped the Miami Dolphins achieve the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972, died Saturday at age 73 following a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, daughter Allie said. 

The former University of Wyoming star was part of a formidable backfield that included his best friend, Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka. 

They earned the nicknames Butch and Sundance, inspired by the popular 1969 movie “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.” 

Kiick (“Butch”) made the American Football League All-Star team in his first two seasons and played on Miami’s back-to-back Super Bowl championship teams in 1972-73. 

Kiick had two touchdowns for the ’72 Dolphins in the AFC championship game, and also scored in the Super Bowl victory that capped their 17-0 season. 

Kiick also played for the Denver Broncos during the 1976-77 season. 

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