'NFL's dirtiest player': Former Arizona Cardinals guard Conrad Dobler dies at 72
PUEBLO, COLORADO: Former Cardinals guard Conrad Dobler, known as the NFL’s "dirtiest" player of his era, has tragically died at the age of 72. The legendary lineman died on Monday, February 13 in Pueblo, Colorado, the Arizona Cardinals announced. He is survived by six children and 12 grandchildren. No cause of death was given.
Dobler, one of the top furious linemen, played a pivotal role for the "Cardiac Cards" of the then St. Louis Cardinals from 1972-1977. He played in the trenches as a left and right guard, teaming up with players like future Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf to create one of the greatest offensive lines in history. A fifth-round pick out of Wyoming in 1972, Dobler spent his first six seasons with the Cardinals, where he earned three consecutive Pro Bowls from 1975-77. He contributed significantly to the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills before retiring in 1981, as per NY Post.
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"They Call me Dirty"
During his 10-year NFL career, ESPN granted Dobler the No. 1 designation in NFL’s dirtiest player category, noting that he "punched Mean Joe Greene, he kicked Merlin Olsen in the head, he bit, he gouged, and once, he spit on a downed and injured opponent, the Eagles' Bill Bradley," People reported. Dobler then also accepted this reputation, saying in a 1977 Sports Illustrated interview that "I'll do anything I can get away with to protect my quarterback. I've thrived on criticism. Tell me I can't do it, and that's all I need. When I started out, no one gave a damn who I was. I had to prove to everyone that they had a fight on their hands."
Sad to hear of the loss for former @wyo_football Conrad Dobler. Dubbed the dirtiest man in the NFL during his playing days. @nfl Hall of Famer Merlin Olsen had Dobler’s tombstone placed in a graveyard scene for his TV show. Wishing prayers to his family. #cowboytough #nfl pic.twitter.com/0xkCWLgvXz
— Steve Weakland (@SteveWeakland) February 13, 2023
After retiring from the field, Dobler even succeeded in leveraging his character into an amusing TV advertisement, starring in a 1987 Miller Lite commercial that dubbed him “Famous Troublemaker”. He later went on to publish his auto-biography titled “They Call Me Dirty.” The tragic death of Dobler has sent shockwaves to the NFL world.
"The Good Fairy" Conrad Dobler, while a member of the Buffalo Bills in 1980 pic.twitter.com/w3EQ8Yp6Kq
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 13, 2023
The Cardinals felt this loss!
Reflecting on the saddening news, Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said, “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and former teammates of Conrad Dobler. 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. Away from it, he brought authentic joy and caring to everyone who had the privilege of being his friend and that is what I will remember most.”