Miami Dolphins rewind: Chuck Klingbeil passes in June

The month of June brought more unwanted news for the Miami Dolphins as they learned of the passing of Chuck Klingbeil.

Chuck Klingbeil played five seasons in the NFL all with the Miami Dolphins. His claim to fame came in a game against the Green Bay Packers in 1991. When he dove on a Don Majkowski fumble in the end-zone for a touchdown. It would be the game deciding score in what would be Don Shula’s 300th victory.

"“Being Coach Shula’s 300th win, that makes it even sweeter,” Klingbeil said. “It’s exciting to be a part of history.”"

Klingbeil would start 65 of 78 games and would register 7.5 sacks and 242 tackles. He was signed from the CFL to play on the Dolphins defensive front. His passing was labeled a result of a heart condition. He was 52 years old.

While most of the news in June was light one name kept coming up around the NFL. Ryan Tannehill.

Tannehill’s name kept creeping up because of former teammates that perhaps were bitter by their dismissal from Miami. In Los Angeles, Mike Pouncey made reference to playing with an elite quarterback in Phillip Rivers. A comment many took as a slight on Tannehill. Pouncey would follow that up with acknowledging that Tannehill was respected but he was far from “elite”. Pouncey said he was just being honest.

Across the country to the Northeast Jarvis Landry had gotten work in with his new quarterbacks in Cleveland and was quick to point out that Tyrod Taylor’s throwing ability was much better than what he had in Miami. He also said that he really didn’t have much of a relationship with Tannehill and that the two didn’t speak after Landry was traded.

It wasn’t the first time that Tannnehill found his name on the lips of former players. We all remember the Miko Grimes saga. Unfortunately.

As June came to a close, the Dolphins readied themselves for training camp that would officially get underway at the end of July.