Nicholas Anthony Buoniconti is a former AFL and NFL Hall of Fame linebacker, who played for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins.

Born on December 15 1940 in Springfield, Massachusetts, Buoniconti graduated from Notre Dame, and was drafted by the Patriots in the thirteenth round of the 1962 AFL draft. He made an immediate impact with the Patriots for, helping the team capture the 1963 AFL Eastern Division title. With Boston, he appeared in five AFL All-Star Games, and recorded 24 interceptions, which is still the seventh-most in team history. He was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1969.

He continued to play well with the Dolphins, from the years 1969-1974 and 1976, where his leadership led him to become a cornerstone of the team's defense. During his years there, the team advance to three consecutive Super Bowl appearaces, one of which was the team's 1972 undefeated season. In 1973, he recorded a then-team record 162 tackles (91 unassisted). He was named to the Pro Bowl in 1972 and 1973.

He was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001.