Pro Football Hall of Fame OL Jim Langer Dies at Age 71

Hall of Fame offensive lineman Jim Langer, who won two Super Bowl titles with the Miami Dolphins in the 1970s, died Thursday at the age of 71. 

The Dolphins announced the news Friday.

Langer signed with the Cleveland Browns after going undrafted out of South Dakota State in 1970. He didn't make the Browns' final roster and signed with the Dolphins.

The Minnesota native made just 20 reserve appearances over his first two NFL seasons before joining the Miami starting lineup in 1972. He quickly emerged as the offensive line's anchor during the team's undefeated campaign and then developed into one of the league's top centers.

He earned six Pro Bowl selections and six All-Pro nods, three first-team and three second-team, and was named to the NFL's 1970s All-Decade Team.

His Approximate Value (94) led all of the league's offensive linemen during his peak years from 1972 to 1978, according to Pro Football Reference.

"The big thing about Jim is that he was a smart guy who loved football and became a student of the game," former South Dakota State teammate Tim Roth told Stu Whitney of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader. "There are a lot of guys who had talent, but they didn't all have that heart. That really made a difference."

Along with the Browns and Dolphins, Langer played two seasons with the Minnesota Vikings before his retirement following the 1981 campaign. He made 151 appearances across 12 years.