Former Miami Dolphins Starter Has Reportedly Died

Bob Heinz, a defensive tackle who helped the 1972 Miami Dolphins finish as the only undefeated and untied team in NFL history, died Oct. 31 in Fresno, California. He was 79.

His son John said Heinz died of natural causes after being diagnosed with heart failure four years earlier. A private family service is planned, and the family has requested donations in his memory to the Miami Dolphins Foundation.

The Miami Dolphins issued a statement saying, “We are saddened to learn of the passing of former Dolphins defensive tackle Bob Heinz, who played for Miami from 1969-77. Bob was a member of the 1972 Perfect Team, a two-time Super Bowl champion and a key part of Miami’s legendary No-Name Defense. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family, loved ones and former teammates.”

Heinz is the 22nd player from that 1972 roster to die.

Born July 25, 1947, in Milwaukee, Heinz moved to California as a teenager and played at Lincoln High School in Stockton. He attended San Joaquin Delta College and the University of the Pacific before the Dolphins selected him in the second round, 37th overall, of the 1969 NFL/AFL Draft.

Listed at 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, he spent nine seasons in the league, appearing in 111 games with 55 starts. He played in 109 games for Miami from 1969 through 1977 and finished with one season in Washington in 1978, appearing in two games.

Heinz started at right defensive tackle for the 1972 Dolphins, who went 14-0 in the regular season and 17-0 overall. He appeared in 11 regular-season games that year, starting eight, and started all three playoff games, including the Super Bowl VII victory over the Washington Redskins.

During the perfect season he was credited with two sacks and one fumble recovery. The Dolphins’ defense that year led the NFL in points allowed (171, or 12.2 per game) and total yards allowed (3,297) while ranking third in rushing yards permitted.

The unit earned the “No-Name Defense” label after Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry referred to the group as “a bunch of no-names.” Players embraced the description as a reflection of their collective strength rather than individual recognition.

Heinz also started every game in 1973 as the Dolphins repeated as Super Bowl champions with a win over the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII. He started 13 of 14 games in 1974 before missing the entire 1975 season with an injury.

He returned in 1976 and 1977, then played his final season with the Redskins. Career sacks are listed at nine, though official sack statistics were not kept by the NFL until 1982.

After retiring, Heinz worked for many years as an advertising executive in the Palo Alto and Menlo Park areas of California. He and his wife of 56 years, Carol, raised three children there. He later lived in Fresno.

Heinz is survived by his wife, Carol; children Julie, Joe and John; and two grandchildren. He was inducted into the University of the Pacific Hall of Fame.