Conrad Dobler, regarded as the “NFL’s dirtiest player,” died at the age of 72.
The team made the announcement of the longtime St. Louis Cardinals’ demise on Monday afternoon.
“Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and former teammates of Conrad Dobler,” the statement states.
While Michael Bidwill, team owner and president, wrote: “He was the kind of tough, physical and fierce player that you love to line up with as a teammate and hate to line up against as an opponent.
“On the field, Conrad was a big reason for the success of the Cardiac Cards of the 1970s.”
Dobler was a starter for the Cardinals for six seasons between 1972-77, before spending the remainder of his career with the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.
Guard Dobler, a Second-Team All-Pro in 1976 and a three-time Pro Bowl pick, earned the nickname “NFL’s dirtiest player.”
He reportedly stated in a 1977 Sports Illustrated article: “I’ll do everything I can get away with to protect my quarterback.”
This allegedly includes “punching Mean Joe Greene, spitting on Bill Bergey, and kicking Merlin Olsen in the head,” according to the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame.
According to ESPN, Dobler even managed to make one opponent cry during a game, which according to his former teammate Tom Banks was the “only time I’ve seen it.”
After the 1981 season, he gave up playing.
Dobler experienced memory loss and knee problems in his later years.
He admitted to USA Today in 2016 that he didn’t even know the names of his six children.
It kind of pisses me off since I prided myself on having such a great memory, he said.
The only time (memory loss) truly works while playing golf, he claimed, “is if I can’t remember how many strokes I have when I get to the hole.” It appears, though, that he was able to make light of the situation.
“It’s always a lot less than I actually have for my score.”
Exactly what was causing these neurological issues was not known.
