Kim Bokamper is a former American football player best known for his successful career with the Miami Dolphins. Born in San Diego, California, he became a standout NFL linebacker and defensive end after being selected in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He spent his entire professional career with Miami, earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1979 and appearing in two Super Bowls. Beyond football, Bokamper remained connected to South Florida through sports broadcasting and business ventures, including Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill. His career, NFL statistics, family background, and appearance in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective continue to attract interest. Today, he is remembered as an important figure in Miami Dolphins history and South Florida sports culture.
Who Is Kim Bokamper?
Kim Bokamper is a former professional American football player who played nine seasons in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins. He was known for his versatility on defense, playing both linebacker and defensive end.
The Dolphins selected him with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft. Although his NFL career is generally listed as 1977–1985, his selection came in 1976. During his career, he became one of the recognizable defensive players in Miami Dolphins history.
Bokamper was also a member of the Dolphins’ famous defensive unit of the early 1980s. He started at right defensive end in both Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XIX.
Age and Early Life
Born on September 25, 1954, in San Diego, California, Bokamper is 71 years old as of August 2026. He attended Milpitas High School before continuing his football career at the college level.
His college football path included San Jose City College and San Jose State University. At San Jose State, he developed into a highly regarded defensive player and earned second-team All-American recognition in 1975.
Height and Weight
Height was one of Bokamper’s notable physical advantages during his football career. He is listed at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters), while his playing weight was around 250 pounds.
Some online biographies have published different measurements, but the 6-foot-6 figure is supported by football and entertainment databases. IMDb also lists him at 6’6″.
NFL Career
The Miami Dolphins selected Bokamper 19th overall in the first round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He subsequently established himself as an important defensive player for the franchise.
His NFL career lasted nine seasons, from 1977 to 1985. During that period, he played linebacker and defensive end and appeared in 127 regular-season games, according to the career statistics listed for him.
One of the biggest highlights of his career came in 1979, when he was selected to the Pro Bowl. He also received PFWA All-Rookie Team recognition in 1977.
Bokamper was particularly remembered for his role on Miami’s defense during the early 1980s. He started at right defensive end in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XIX, giving him an important place in the team’s Super Bowl history.
Career Stats
His career statistics show the impact he made on defense. The available career record lists 127 games and 103 starts, along with 12 sacks, six interceptions and one touchdown.
| Category | Career figure |
|---|---|
| NFL seasons | 9 |
| Games | 127 |
| Starts | 103 |
| Sacks | 12 |
| Interceptions | 6 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| NFL team | Miami Dolphins |
These numbers represent his NFL career and help explain why he remains a notable former Dolphins player.
Miami Dolphins Connection
Bokamper spent his entire NFL career with the Miami Dolphins, making the franchise central to his professional legacy.
He was part of the team’s defensive identity during the late 1970s and early 1980s and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1979. His contribution to the organization continued long after his playing days ended.
In 2013, he was added to the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame, further recognizing his place in the team’s history.
After retiring from football, he also remained involved with the Dolphins through broadcasting and media work. He later hosted programs connected with the team and continued to appear in South Florida sports media.
Wife: Colleen Bokamper
Bokamper’s wife was Colleen Daley Bokamper. She died in March 2014.
Colleen largely stayed away from the public spotlight, so detailed information about their private family life is limited. Some biographies report that the couple had two daughters, Kimberly and Courtney.
Because family information about the former NFL player is not extensively documented through major sports sources, it is better to avoid adding unverified details about his private life.
Daughter and Family
Bokamper and Colleen had two daughters, commonly identified in published biographical material as Kimberly and Courtney.
Unlike his football career, his family life has remained relatively private. This means there is considerably less verified public information about his daughters than about his NFL career.
For an accurate biography, it is best to mention only family details that can be supported by reliable sources rather than repeating claims from unsourced celebrity websites.
New Wife: Is He Married Again?
Searches for a new wife often appear alongside Bokamper’s name, but there is no reliable source confirming that he has remarried after Colleen’s death.
Therefore, it would be misleading to publish a specific name as his “new wife” without credible evidence. The safest factual statement is that he was married to Colleen Bokamper, who died in 2014, and publicly available sources do not clearly establish a subsequent marriage.
This distinction is important because many biography websites repeat personal-life claims without providing strong supporting evidence.
Net Worth
There is no authoritative public financial record that establishes an exact current net worth for the former Dolphins player.
Some celebrity and biography websites publish estimates ranging from hundreds of thousands to several million dollars, but these figures vary substantially and are not independently verified. One website, for example, gives an estimate of $1 million to $7 million, while another publishes a much lower figure.
Because of these inconsistencies, it is better to describe his net worth as undisclosed or unverified rather than presenting one exact number as fact.
His income over the years has come from more than football. After retiring, he worked in sports broadcasting and was involved in business ventures, including Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill locations in Florida.
Connection to Ace Ventura
One of the more interesting parts of Bokamper’s post-NFL profile is his appearance in the 1994 comedy movie Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, starring Jim Carrey.
He did not play a major fictional character. Instead, he appeared as a Miami Dolphin, reflecting his real-life connection to the NFL team. IMDb lists him among the movie’s cast, and the credit identifies him as a Miami Dolphin.
This explains why searches for “Kim Bokamper Ace Ventura” appear online. His connection to the movie is genuine, but it was a small on-screen appearance rather than a major acting career.
Life After Football
Retirement from the NFL did not completely separate Bokamper from professional sports. He moved into broadcasting and became a familiar voice in South Florida sports.
He worked with WFOR-TV and also appeared on sports radio. He hosted Dolphins-related programming and continued to provide analysis and commentary about the team.
He was also involved in the restaurant business. His Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill brand expanded to several Florida locations, adding another chapter to his career after football.
Legacy
Bokamper’s legacy is closely tied to the Miami Dolphins. He spent his entire NFL playing career with the franchise, earned a Pro Bowl selection and played in two Super Bowls.
His inclusion in the Dolphins Walk of Fame in 2013 is another indication of his importance to the organization. His later broadcasting work also allowed him to remain connected to Dolphins fans and South Florida football.
Although he may be best remembered as a defensive player from the Dolphins’ late-1970s and 1980s era, his career also includes an unusual connection to Hollywood through Ace Ventura: Pet Detective.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Bokamper |
| Born | September 25, 1954 |
| Birthplace | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Age | 71 years (as of 2026) |
| Profession | Former American Football Player |
| NFL Team | Miami Dolphins |
| Position | Linebacker, Defensive End |
| NFL Career | 1977–1985 |
| Height | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) |
| Pro Bowl | 1979 |
| Wife | Colleen Daley Bokamper |
| Daughters | Kimberly and Courtney |
| Business | Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill |
Conclusion
Kim Bokamper built a memorable career as a defensive player for the Miami Dolphins, spending his entire NFL career with the franchise and earning a Pro Bowl selection in 1979. His involvement in two Super Bowls and later induction into the Dolphins Walk of Fame further strengthened his legacy. After retiring from football, he remained active in South Florida through sports broadcasting and the Bokamper’s Sports Bar & Grill business. His appearance in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective also added an interesting Hollywood connection to his career. While details about his private life and current net worth are limited, his contribution to Miami Dolphins history continues to make him a notable figure among former NFL players.
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FAQs
Who is the owner of Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill in Fort Lauderdale?
Bokampers was founded by former Miami Dolphins player Kim Bokamper and is operated by PDKN Restaurant Group, of which Bokamper is a co-founder/partner.
What position did Kim Bokamper play?
Kim Bokamper played linebacker and defensive end during his NFL career with the Miami Dolphins.
Is there a Bokampers at Fort Lauderdale Airport?
Yes. Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill is located at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Terminal 3. The airport’s current dining information also lists Bokamper’s in Terminal 3.
Is Bokampers in Fort Lauderdale still open?
Yes. The main Fort Lauderdale location at 3115 NE 32nd Ave is currently listed by the restaurant as open, with hours Monday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–midnight and Sunday 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m.
What restaurants are in Fort Lauderdale Airport?
FLL has restaurants and food outlets across its terminals, including Bokamper’s, Shake Shack, Starbucks, Flash Fire Pizza, Half Moon Empanadas, Whisky River, Umaizushi, Stella Bar, and Torn Basil.
