Dobler was drafted out of the University of Wyoming in the 1972 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, and quickly developed a reputation as a tough customer. "I see defensive linemen jump to knock a pass down. When that happened near me, I'd smack 'em in the solar plexus, and that got their hands down real quick."[1] After six years in St. Louis and three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances (1975-77), he made the cover of Sports Illustrated, who heralded Dobler as "Pro Football's Dirtiest Player".[2]

In 1978, however, Dobler suddenly became a Saint: the Cardinals traded him to New Orleans, where he played two years. He then played two final seasons with the Buffalo Bills, retiring after the 1981 campaign. Dobler, known for such transgressions as punching Mean Joe Greene, spitting on a downed and injured opponent (the Eagles' Bill Bradley) and kicking Merlin Olsen in the head,[