Former Dolphin Mandich dead at 62

MIAMI, April 27 (UPI) -- Jim Mandich, a former Miami Dolphins player who became a popular radio broadcaster, has died after a long bout with cancer, team officials said.

Mandich, 62, died Tuesday, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported Wednesday.

Mandich was a reserve tight end on the 1972 perfect season Dolphins team coached by Don Shula.

Drafted to Shula's first Dolphins team in 1970, Mandich became an integral part of a team that won three straight Super Bowl appearances and two straight victories.

"I was sad to hear about Jim's passing," Shula said in statement. "I know he fought a courageous battle, but that was typical of his fighting spirit."

Mandich was a part of the Dolphins' radio broadcast team beginning in 1992 and spent more than 25 on South Florida radio, becoming one of the most successful and popular talk show hosts in the area.

Mandich is survived by his wife Bonnie, and sons Michael, Nick and Mark.