Family of Jim Kiick donates late Dolphin’s brain for CTE research, starts fundraiser
A week after Jim Kiick died at 73, the family of the late Miami Dolphins legend is honoring his legacy by donating his brain and starting a fundraiser for concussion research.
Allie Kiick, the former running back’s daughter, announced the new initiative Friday on Facebook. The family is donating Kiick’s brain to Boston University’s Concussion Legacy Foundation where it can be used to study concussions and chronic traumatic encephelopathy.
“The night before my dad passed away, I sat with my mom on my bed and she asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday (June 30th),” wrote Kiick, a professional tennis player. “I told her I wanted my family to go over to my dads facility so we could all sing happy birthday. I haven’t been able to spend a birthday with my dad nor my family because I’m usually overseas playing tennis, so I’ve decided I wanted to think about the best way I could honor my dad. His brain was donated to the foundation ... for research. My dad always wanted to help others, he had the biggest heart in the world so we know he would’ve wanted to play a part in finding a cure for CTE.
“Now he will. He will one day be a part of history.”
The Concussion Foundation also started the Jim Kiick Memorial Fund for CTE Research and the family is collecting donations on Facebook, as well. Kiick originally hoped to raise $5,021 by her birthday Tuesday, but the family quickly surpassed the goal and Kiick pushed her target to $21,000, in honor of her father’s Kiick’s No. 21. Several of Kiick’s teammates — including Nick Buoniconti, Bill Stanfill, and Bob Kuechenberg — also had their brains donated to the foundation, which aims to end chronic traumatic encephelopathy (CTE) through research and prevention.
Kiick, a member of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins, died last Saturday after spending his final years battling dementia and had been living in an assisted-living facility. Kiick spent 10 years playing in the NFL, American Football League and World Football League, seven of which he spent in Miami. He’s still fifth in Dolphins history in rushing yards and sixth in team history in rushing touchdowns.
This story was originally published June 27, 2020 at 5:47 PM.
