According to a Miami Dolphins related web site (phinsider.com) Houghton native and former NMU and Miami Dolphins football player Chuck Klingbeil has died. He was 52 years old.

Klingbeil played for the Wildcats in the mid to late 1980's before starting his pro career with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the Canadian Football League.

Miami signed Klingbeil as a free agent in 1991. His big play in the NFL was recovering a fumble by Green Bay Packers' quarterback Don Majkowski in the end for a touchdown on the day Dolphins' Head Coach Don Shula won his 300th game.

Klingbeil was an assistant coach for NMU and Michigan Tech. He's a member of the NMU and Upper Peninsula Sports Halls of Fame.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.