Mike Colen, a two-time Super Bowl champion and member of the Dolphins’ perfect season, died Wednesday. Announced by Auburn University.
Collen was 76 years old.
He earned All-SEC honors at Auburn as a junior and senior and led the team in tackles in 16 of the 25 games he started from 1967-69.
In 1969, he received his first National Christian Athlete of the Year award.
Koren was known as a hard hitter on the field, earning him the nickname “Captain Crunch.”
“I never tried to hurt anyone, but football is a physical sport,” he said. I remembered in 2014. “That part was fun. I don’t enjoy it as much now because it all comes back to me. Over the past year and a half, I’ve had several joint replacements.
“If you start playing freshman year, play through college, play eight years in the NFL, that’s what’s going to happen.”
He was selected by the Dolphins in the 12th round of the 1970 NFL Draft and was a member of three consecutive AFC championship teams and consecutive Super Bowl championships.
Koren, who played for the Dolphins from 1970 to 1977, picked off a pass from Johnny Unitas in the 1971 AFC title game, giving the Dolphins a 21-0 victory over the Colts.
In the 1972 AFC title game, Koren intercepted Terry Bradshaw’s pass in the final minute, giving the Steelers a 21–17 victory.
Two weeks later, the Dolphins finished their undefeated season with a 14-7 victory over Washington.
He returned to Auburn each year and presented the Mike Coren Award to Auburn’s leading tackler from the previous season.
Koren said in 2016. “That was a real thrill for me.” “We’re going to celebrate a player from last year who had a big impact on Auburn’s defensive side as a top tackler. Being at Auburn and being out on the field brings back some old memories. It’s really cool. It’s an experience and something I’ve really enjoyed over the years.”
Koren leaves behind his wife, Nancy, and two children.
“Mike Koren is one of the greatest people I’ve ever known,” said former Auburn athletics director and sports information director David Housel. “For Mike Coren, being a football player was secondary. He was one of the greatest football players in Auburn history, but he was much more than that. A rock, a lighthouse.
“When I think of Mike Coren, I think of toughness, competitiveness and goodness. He was a great football player, but an even better human being.”
After retiring from professional football in 1977, Koren went into real estate and owned his own business, Auburn said.
