Former Saints offensive lineman Conrad Dobler dies

Conrad Dobler
Photo credit Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

One of the dirtiest players in the history of the National Football League died on Monday.

Conrad Dobler, an All-Pro offensive lineman who played 10 seasons in the NFL, including two years with the New Orleans Saints, died at the age of 72. The Arizona Cardinals, for whom Dobler played from 1972 to 1977 when the team was based in St. Louis, announced Dobler’s death via a Twitter post.

The Cardinals selected Dobler in the fifth round of the 1972 draft. As an offensive guard, Dobler lined up next to hall-of-famer Dan Dierdorff to compose one of the most imposing offensive line units in the NFL at that time. Dobler earned Pro Bowl bids in three consecutive seasons while in St. Louis, appearing in the all-star game from 1975 through 1977.

After the 1977 season, the Cardinals traded Dobler to New Orleans, where he helped lead the Saints to their best seasons at that point in the team’s history. He was a member of the Saints first non-losing season, helping the Saints to an 8-8 finish and narrowly missing a playoff berth that year.

Dobler finished his career with the Buffalo Bills, spending the 1980 and 1981 seasons on that team’s roster before retiring from the game.

Dobler was known as one of pro football’s dirtiest players—if not the dirtiest—during his decade-long career. In fact, Dobler embraced that reputation, going as far as to title his autobiography, “They Call Me Dirty.” That reputation as well earned. Dobler was known for punching his opponents and spitting on and/or kicking downed foes.

Despite that reputation, Dobler was regarded as one of the best offensive linemen of his era. According to St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame’s biography of Dobler, he and Dierdorff allowed only eight sacks during the 1975 season, an NFL record at the time.

Injuries caught up with Dobler later in his life. He underwent multiple surgeries, including nine knee replacements and multiple other surgeries, leaving him disabled.

Featured Image Photo Credit: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images