Former Cardinals lineman Conrad Dobler dies at 72

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Conrad Dobler, one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen and fiercest players of the 1970s, has died. He was 72 years old.

The Arizona Cardinals announced that Dobler died Monday in Pueblo, Colorado. No cause of death was given.

Dobler played left guard on an offensive line that included Hall of Famer Dan Dierdorf for a St. Louis team that became known as the “Cardiac Cardinals.”

Dobler was also known for his dirty game and even titled his autobiography “They Call Me Dirty” after 10 years of eye gouging, whipping and finger biting in the NFL trenches of the 1970s. Dobler also embraced his spoilsport persona in a 1987 Miller Lite commercial by getting riled up by having them argue the beer’s “Tastes Good/Less Filler” slogan.

“Our hearts go out to Conrad Dobler’s family, friends and former teammates,” Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement. “He was the kind of tough, physical, fierce player you love to line up with as a teammate and hate to play against as an opponent. On the pitch, Conrad was a big part of the success of the Cardiac Cards of the 1970s. Far from it, he brought genuine joy and caring to all who had the privilege of being his friend and that is what I will remember the most.

Dobler earned three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances from 1975 to 1977 while playing under Hall of Fame coach Don Coryell. The 1975 offense set what was then an NFL record by allowing eight sacks. He played for the Cardinals from 1972 to 1977 before playing two seasons each with New Orleans and Buffalo.

Dobler was Wyoming’s fifth-round pick in the 1972 NFL Draft. He is survived by six children and 12 grandchildren.

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