Bob Kuechenberg, key member of 1972 undefeated Dolphins, dies at age 71

Bob Kuechenberg, a key member of the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins team, has died at age 71, the team announced Sunday morning.

Kuechenberg, who was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, played 14 seasons for the Dolphins from 1970-1983.

A starting guard on the Dolphins' two Super Bowl-winning teams from 1972 and 1973, Kuechenberg played 196 games in Miami, starting 176.

A native of Gary, Indiana, Kuechenberg, who was named All-Pro in 1978, played at Notre Dame before he was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 1969 NFL draft. He signed with the Dolphins as a free agent in 1970.

Details of Kuechenberg's death were not immediately available. 

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The Associated Press reported that Kuechenberg died on Saturday. 

Kuechenberg was a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame and a member of the Dolphins’ Honor Roll.

Monday is the 46th anniversary of the Dolphins’ 14-7 victory against the Washington Red Skins to complete their 17-0 season. 

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Bob Kuechenberg," the Dolphins wrote on Twitter.

In a statement released by the Dolphins, Hall of Fame coach Don Shula called coached Kuechenberg "not only one of the best players I ever coached, but one of the toughest as well."

Former teammate Jim Langer, a Hall of Fame center, said he stayed in touch with Kuechenberg, spoke with him in the past week and was shocked to learn of his death.

“He was the kind of guy you’d want in your foxhole,” Langer said. “He played hard and was very intense about the game, which was typical of our team. He was my roommate for 10 years, and we talked football damn near all the time.”

The Associated Press contributed this report.