[65] However, MSNBC reported that this was a deliberate snub by Nixon, who was a Redskins fan, even though Nixon owned a vacation home in nearby Key Biscayne, Florida and telephoned Shula only hours after the Dolphins defeated the Colts in the 1971 AFC Championship game to suggest a play for Miami to use in Super Bowl VI (a down-and-out pass to Warfield that was broken up by Cowboys safety Cornell Green). Miami Dolphins. Yepremian, who was born in Cyprus to Armenian parents, was a motivational speaker after retiring. Coach Don Shula tried to play down the myth by saying that two players, Dick Anderson and Nick Buoniconti, who live near each other, sometimes have a toast together. That followed a successful business career of owning 30 The Athletes Foot sporting good stores throughout the country. The Chiefs did not score until a 40-yard field goal by Stenerud late in the third quarter, and a touchdown from Len Dawson to Willie Frazier was the only score of the fourth quarter as Miami won 2010. However, the Dolphins reclaimed the lead on a possession culminating in a 22-yard run by running back Mercury Morris, followed by an extra point by Yepremian. He was diagnosed with dementia and when his family reached out to the NFL for help, they constantly got the runaround. The 60-year-old spent a decade playing in the NFL and believes the constant bone-crunching challenges he suffered during his career are responsible for his declining health. He became an anesthesiologist and works for Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, the earliest established public hospital in the United States. However, in the game's final quarter, Anderson landed on the ball after Jets running back Cliff McClain fumbled it at New York's 27-yard line. The undefeated season of 17-0(including playoffs) You got some footage from a MNF game included here along with the NFL Films coverage. Kuechenberg also was one of the few players from the 72 team who refused an invitation from Barack Obama to visit the White House, and he acknowledged it was due to political reasons. It was believed that Morris had run for 991 yards, but the Dolphins petitioned the NFL to overturn a -9-yard rushing play and rule it a fumble on a lateral instead. He was MVP in 1968. He was more of a blocker than a receiver and ranked just seventh on the team in receiving yards despite starting all 14 games. After retirement, Little coached football in the 1980s and 1990s as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman University, his alma mater, and North Carolina Central and in the World Football League for the Ohio Glory. Cheyenne Roundtree [21], The first-ever meeting between the Dolphins and Vikings began with a long first-quarter touchdown from Fran Tarkenton to John Gilliam; Minnesota held this 70 lead into halftime. [54] Consequently, Miami remained undefeated and advanced to Super Bowl VII. With 9:18 remaining in the final period, the Dolphins scored again with a 15-yard run by Morris, amassing 106 rushing yards in the game. But the Dolphins failed to capitalize and both teams exchanged punts, while Kilmer threw another interception to Nick Buoniconti, who then returned the ball for 32yards, with two minutes remaining in the half. "[4][5] 50 years later, on October 23, 2022, the 1972 Dolphins were honored at halftime during a Sunday Night Football game featuring the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, the same matchup that occurred for the 1972 AFC Championship Game. Subsequent rule changes have since changed the playoff structure so that this would never happen again. Bottom line: Doug Swift was the Dolphins' biggest playmaker among their linebacker group, and he finished tied for second on the team with three interceptions. 2022 record: 9-8 (2nd in AFC East) Home Roster Statistics Schedule Draft Splits Transactions Injuries History. The Dolphins were beneficiaries of a weak AFC East that saw the Colts lapse from a perennial contender into a three-year stretch in which they would win only 11 games; a Bills team yet to find its legs with O. J. Simpson and the return of coach Lou Saban; a dysfunctional Patriots organization that had little to no talent to surround former No. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Marlin Briscoe first Black starting quarterback AFL, former Dolphins WR, iSelect Smart 360 Term | Cover Till 99 yrs of Age, Top 25 Miami Dolphins players countdown: No. Now details are emerging about Buoniconti's teammates on that vaunted '72 Dolphins squad. The defense was led by Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, tackle Manny Fernandez, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. The Hawkeye won the Butkus Award in 2022. Even though hes in his late 70s, Fleming is still a kid at heart and even enjoys skateboarding near his home near Venice Beach, California. The 1972 Miami Dolphins. $4.99 + $4.90 shipping. The '72 Dolphins are one of the most iconic teams in all of sports, and you can still hear the champagne popping whenever the final undefeated NFL team loses each season. Many members of the only undefeated team in NFL history also found success in football retirement. Bottom line: Marv Fleming already had three NFL championship rings to his name, courtesy of the Green Bay Packers, before he joined the Dolphins. 3. Outside of that, he says he plays golf about three times a week and does word puzzles to keep his mind sharp. Marlin Briscoe, who became the first Black starting quarterback in the American Football League more than 50 years ago and was a member of the Miami Dolphins' two Super Bowl championship teams,. Free shipping for many products! At 32 years old, he was the oldest starter on defense and the only one who made the Hall of Fame. The winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula died on Monday, May 4, 2020. He then went into politics and became mayor of Davie, Florida, which is where the Dolphins' training facility resides. . Free shipping. CDC BUILDING DATABASE ON SPORTS-RELATED CONCUSSIONS. [38], The final score of 520 in favor of Miami remains the most lopsided win for either team in the history of the DolphinsPatriots rivalry. More than 90 percent of NFL players have brain disease, claims Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist who had his story about discovering brain trauma and the NFL portrayed by Will Smith in the Concussion. Neither team scored in the third quarter. [33] The fourth quarter began with a 45-yard field goal by Leypoldt, cutting Miami's lead to 1716. By Fred McNeill, to confirm the diagnosis after his death. He was runner-up for AFL rookie of the year after passing for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for 308 yards and three scores. Related:Don Shula's Legendary Career in Photos, NFL experience: 14 years, all with Dolphins (1967-80), Career stats: 1,926 CMP, 3,429 ATT, 25,092 YDS, 192 TD, 172 INT, 77.1 RAT, 1972 stats: 53 CMP, 97 ATT, 638 YDS, 4 TD, 4 INT, 71.6 RAT, 1972 postseason stats: 11 CMP, 16 ATT, 158 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 95.3 RAT. With the Dolphins leading 14-0 with two minutes left in the Super Bowl, they attempted a field goal to essentially end the game. Feb 3. Instead, he discusses the harrowing ordeal he went through after retiring. Bottom line: The 1972 Dolphins were much more than a collection of talented individuals. If those werent enough honors, Little recently received his honorary doctorate from Bethune-Cookman. Denver didnt give him a chance to compete for the quarterback job in 1969, so he asked to be released. [37], Miami increased their lead again in the third quarter with a 7-yard pass from Morrall to tight end Marv Fleming. After a few more plays, Morris scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a Yepremian extra point. Ask the 1972 Miami Dolphins NBC's Bob Costas predicted this month that the sport would collapse over time barring new technology. Washington was favored by 1-point, despite Miami entering the game undefeated and the Redskins having three regular season losses. Before heading west, Warfield returned to his native Ohio and was Browns owner Art Modells special assistant in addition to serving as the teams director of player relations. The Jaw by any name, Shula still the king Columnist", "Urban Legends Reference Pages: 1972 Miami Dolphins Toast First Losses by Undefeated Teams", "David Moulton: A final salute to the 1972 Dolphins " Naples Daily News", "40 yrs Later, Nixon Shunned '72 Dolphins Get White-House Respect", "1985 Chicago Bears Visit the White House | The White House", "At least three '72 Dolphins refuse White House invite", 1972 Miami Dolphins Season at Pro-Football Reference, Perfect Season Podcast a 50th anniversary podcast with an episode for each game of the 1972 season, starring several members of the team, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1972_Miami_Dolphins_season&oldid=1135686326, Kiick 6-yard pass from Griese (Yepremian kick), Anderson 35-yard defensive fumble return (Yepremian kick), Warfield 19-yard pass from Morrall (Garo Yepremian kick), Csonka 1-yard rush (Yepremian kick failed), Briscoe 16-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), Mandich 39-yard pass from Del Gaizo (Yepremian kick), Twilley 9-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), Mumphord 28-yard interception return (Yepremian kick), Stowe 27-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), Mandich 3-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), Briscoe 14-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), Warfield 34-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), Csonka 9-yard pass from Morrall (Yepremian kick), This page was last edited on 26 January 2023, at 05:41. Later in the third quarter, Yepremian kicked a 18-yard field goal. Bottom line: At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Bob Heinz was the biggest player on Miamis "No-Name" defense, and he helped plug the rushing lanes for the NFLs top defense. Another key cog of that Dolphins team, running back Jim Kiick, is so ill that he is incapable of caring for himself. The team was led by third-year head coach Don Shula and achieved the only perfect season in NFL history. Morris is now a motivational speaker, but he doesnt talk that much about football. The story of the '72 Dolphins is consistent with that of many other players who have suffered through agonizing physical and cognitive disabilities during their retirements. Redskins defensive lineman Bill Brundige blocked Yepremian's 42-yard field goal attempt. He put his signature on Super Bowl VII by recording a sack on the final play of the game, taking down Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer as Washington was looking to tie the game. Details of death: Died after a fall at the age of 75. His other Super Bowl appearance came in 1971, albeit ending in a Dolphins' loss to the . Bottom line: The NFL didnt officially record sacks until 1982, but Den Herder unofficially led the Dolphins with 10.5 sacks in the 1972 season. He was third on the team in rushing but also finished second with 21 receptions. A six-yard Jim Kiick touchdown run gave Miami a 147 lead just before halftime. Bottom line: Back when teams had two-back backfields, fullbacks were still in vogue, and Larry Csonka was the best of his era. The commercial featured "44 of the greatest NFL athletes" at a formal dinner event with the attendees dressed in black tie. They also led the league in both points scored and fewest points allowed. Later, the 2007 New England Patriots also earned an undefeated and untied regular season record. Sign up for our newsletter and get every update delivered to your inbox! Until now, doctors only considered severe traumatic brain injury a key risk factor for developing neurodegenerative diseases. It's an incredibly rare thing for an NFL team to remain undefeated throughout the entirety of a season. Who died from the 1972 Miami Dolphins? Before his death, Buoniconti pledged to donate his brain to Boston University for CTE research. However, four failed attempts at reaching the end zone gave the Bills possession again. "[12] However, tension between Wilson and Shula lessened after the team won Super Bowl VII, and Wilson congratulated Shula and invited him to play at his golf course.[13]. The chain had 22 restaurants across the United States, including in Shulas home state of Ohio. At least seven players from that team either have suffered or are currently suffering from cognitive disease that experts believe were caused by repeated head trauma suffered during their days on the gridiron, according to the Miami Herald. The Browns orchestrated another touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, ending with a 27-yard pass from Phipps to Fair Hooker. [45] The Dolphins increased their lead further in the second quarter, with a 10-yard field goal by Yepremian and a 1-yard rush by running back Jim Kiick on a drive that spanned 89yards. He also completed all three of his passes that season - on trick plays. Briscoe was originally drafted out of Nebraska-Omaha in the 14th round of the 1968 draft by the Denver Broncos, becoming the first black starting . 1972 Miami Dolphins Roster | The Football Database. Larry Ball Signed 1973 Style Custom Card Miami Dolphins 1972 17-0. He then was traded to the Dolphins for a first-round pick and played for three seasons, including their perfect 17-0 season of1972 when he caught 16 passes for 279 yards and four TDs. He started all 14 regular-season games and both games in the AFC playoffs. [19], The Orange Bowl's new Poly-Turf field and intermittent rains led to slippery conditions for Miami's Week 2 meeting with Houston. Outside of academic and athletic recognition, Little is involved with his foundation, which raises funds to help children learn to swim. 1 overall draft choice Jim Plunkett; and a Jets squad with a porous defense, offsetting the benefits of Joe Namath remaining healthy throughout the season and an emerging John Riggins in the running game. Miami added to their lead with a 40-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian near the end of the first quarter, although their offense, ranked the best in the league for the 1972 season, otherwise remained mostly stagnant in the first half. It was his only catch of the game and the most important in his 11-year NFL career. The NFL obliged, and Morris, along with fullback Larry Csonka, became the NFLs first 1000-yard tandem. Fleming had his best game of the season in the AFC championship game, posting 50 receiving yards, more yards than he had in his previous seven games combined. He died from the disease in 2015 at the age of 70. In 2017, at the age of 71, and 37 years after his last NFL game, Little signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Dolphins to officially retire as a member of the team. He also got a chance to show off his arm a few times, completing three of his four attempts for 75 yards. The '72 Dolphins are one of the most iconic teams in all of sports, and you can still hear the champagne popping whenever the final undefeated NFL team loses each season. Years with Dolphins: 7 years (1969-74, 1976). [27], The Dolphins and Chargers traded first-quarter field goals before Dick Anderson returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown to give Miami a 103 lead. MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 12, 1972: (L to R) Quarterback Earl Morrall #15 and head coach Don Shula, of the Miami Dolphins, on the sidelines during a . Foley is one of the few players from the '72 Dolphins who had more success, and made more money, after playing than during playing. A late San Diego touchdown made the final score 2410 as the Dolphins moved to 50. Minutes later, Houston quarterback Dan Pastorini muffed the ball in punt formation; the Dolphins recovered again and Mercury Morris scored four plays later. After seven more plays, Miami scored on a 9-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Howard Twilley. The comments below have not been moderated, By Tittle during a 21-year career. BJ. He owned a chain of steakhouses called Shulas Restaurants that started in South Florida but were expanded into several other states. https://dolphinswire.usatoday.com/2022/06/27/dolphins-marlin-briscoe-passes-away/, One free agent each NFL team should re-sign in 2023, Texas LB says he'd love to play with former teammate with Dolphins, Here are all the available free agent cornerbacks in 2023, Here are all the available free agent linebackers in 2023, Vikings GM explains why he hired Brian Flores as defensive coordinator, Mike McDaniel explains why Dolphins fired OL coach Matt Applebaum, Dolphins' 2023 home and away opponents set, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A second Yepremian field goal cut Minnesota's lead to one point, but the Vikings responded with thirteen-play drive which ended in a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. You'll now receive the top Dolphins Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. With the victory, the Dolphins improved to 90. The 1972 Miami Dolphins, led by Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula, finished 17-0 and won Super Bowl VII over the Washington Redskins. On the sixth play following the interception, Dolphins running back Jim Kiick reached the end zone on a 2-yard run. Career stats: 804 ATT, 4,133 YDS, 5.1 AVG, 31 TD, 54 REC, 543 RYDS, 1 RTD, 1972 stats: 190 ATT, 1000 YDS, 5.3 AVG, 12 TD, 15 REC, 168 RYDS, 0 RTD, 1972 postseason stats: 41 ATT, 182 YDS, 4.4 AVG, 0 TD, 1 REC, -6 RYDS, 0 RTD. ', 2. Career stats: 212 REC, 3,064 RYDS, 14.5 AVG, 23 TD, 1972 stats: 20 REC, 364 RYDS, 18.2 AVG, 3 TD, 1972 postseason stats: 4 REC, 61 YDS, 15.3 AVG, 1 TD. Cheyenne Roundtree [39], In the third quarter, Morrall threw a 16-yard pass to Marlin Briscoe, increasing the Dolphins lead to 380. Garo Yepremian's extra point allowed the Dolphins to take a 70 lead. The only score in the first quarter was 36-yard field goal by Miami's Garo Yepremian. Miami annihilated New England both offensively and defensively. Later in the first quarter, New York's Rocky Thompson fumbled during a kickoff return, with the ball recovered by Miami running back Charles Leigh. [9][10] Wilson also signed Manny Fernandez and traded for Nick Buoniconti, Larry Little, and Paul Warfield. Miami then went on an 80-yard touchdown drive, which featured a 52-yard pass to Paul Warfield and ended with a 2-yard rush by Kiick. Van Herder was unable to attend the ceremony because it was harvest season, and he had crops to attend to. The center has posthumously examined the brains of six members of the 1972 Dolphins, who were 17-0. These days, there are 16 regular-season games (and soon maybe even more ) plus the three to four playoff games needed to win a . Manny Fernandez, who played defensive lineman for the team, says he has had eight back surgeries as well as other operations. . Briscoe led the 1972 perfect Dolphinswith four touchdown receptions and the following season, when Miami defended its Super Bowl title, he was the leading receiver on the team,catching more passes than futurePro Football Hall of FamerPaul Warfield. Briscoe was part of the Dolphins Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973. He coached the Dolphins to the league's only undefeated season (17-0) in 1972, culminating in a 14-7 victory over the Washington . Miami Dolphins 50 years on, the 1972 Miami Dolphins' undefeated season remains undefeated Don Shula is carried off the field by his players after the 1972 Miami Dolphins completed. That's probably appropriate, as they remain the only team in the Super Bowl era to go undefeated, finishing with a perfect. The Dolphins shut out the Baltimore Colts, Shula's former team, to reach Super Bowl VI, where they lost 243 to Dallas. Both teams scored a field goal in the second quarter, from 49-yards and 25-yards by Jim Bakken of the Cardinals and Garo Yepremian of the Dolphins, respectively.