My deepest sympathies for his family. He was a good guy and a good player, and he will be missed. It is unfortunate that he is most known for giving his best effort in a bad and un-practiced position responding to a blocked kick. He will be missed.
That's weird to read it that way. I suppose Garo is remembered most for that play beyond any other play. But it's hardly the first thing I think of when his name appears. I'm always a bit surprised that play yanks so much attention.
Garo was the wise-cracking eye-blinking smile-producing joy of the franchise for nearly a decade. Everyone loved Garo. If you asked Dolphins fans during that era to rattle off names of players I guarantee Garo's name would show up within the top 5 or 6 more often than not. It many not seem that way this far removed but that was the reality of the era. You always think of the players who stand out from the norm, especially in a popular fashion.
And when those names were said, the two linked to bringing out a smile would be Csonka and Garo. No question about it.
I have to say I wasn't overly thrilled when we signed Garo initially. The Dolphins had gone through many kickers during the expansion '60s. I remember Booth Lusteg the most. He was a straight-on kicker who would mostly punch at the ball more than actually following through.
Then in 1969 the Dolphins drafted Karl Kremser. Now that was a big name. I'm not sure Slimm goes back that far. But he's probably heard the story of when Kremser stunned Alabama with a 54 yard field goal to pull out the game for Tennessee, 10-9. I was watching live as a young kid and loving every second of it.
My dad was a college professor and came home one day to announce he had a Dolphins player in his class. When he rattled off the name I said of course I know who that is. I was shocked did didn't remember the name, not until I mentioned the kick against Alabama, which both of us had watched. I guess Kremser was taking extra classes because he wanted to become a teacher. In looking at his bio he had a long successful career, including soccer coach at FIU. Dad told me the next week that Kremser smiled broadly when he mentioned that kick and that I had remembered it.
Kremser had a fairly successful rookie season by standards of that era. I assumed he would be the Dolphins kicker for many years. Then Shula brought in Garo to challenge. Throughout camp it was hardly clear which way Shula would go. Kremser was a much bigger guy with a stronger leg.
Shula eventually went with Garo and like so many early decisions of that era it was a wise one.