Because the NFL season involves an in depth, the 1972 Miami Dolphins breathe a sigh of aid; one other yr has handed and, practically three and a half many years later, they nonetheless stay the one skilled soccer group to attain perfection. Through the years a couple of groups, the Bears, the Broncos, the Colts, and the Colts but once more, have brought about the Dolphins to sweat profusely within the pit of their fins; these groups have come shut however no cigar, particularly not Don Shula’s.
It is protected to say that each one members of the 1972 Dolphins have since retired and moved on to different ventures. Some stay in sports activities, some interact in fully completely different actions. Regardless of the place they’re and what they’re doing, the members of this Dolphin’s group nonetheless holds a spot in NFL historical past…not less than in the interim. This makes us take into consideration them, remembering how they had been and questioning what they’re doing now.
Bob Griese
An All-Star, a Professional Bowler, a six time Dolphin’s MVP, Bob Griese was inducted into the Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1984 and the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1990. Identified extra for his management than his arm – as he handed just a little in some video games and loads in others – Bob led Miami to 9 profitable seasons.
After retiring from soccer, Bob went on to assist his son Brian’s collegiate {and professional} soccer careers, stating that watching Brian win the Rose Bowl was one of many best moments of this life. In 2000, he and Brian wrote a e-book known as Undefeated, which mentioned the Dolphin’s excellent season in addition to the loss of life of Bob’s first spouse to breast most cancers. Bob is presently an ABC Faculty Soccer Analyst and lately appeared on the sport present Wheel of Fortune.
Don Shula
Probably the most recognizable coaches in your entire world of sports activities, Don Shula started his soccer profession with the Cleveland Browns in 1951 as a cornerback. Throughout his enjoying days, he performed for the Browns, the Baltimore Colts, and the Washington Redskins earlier than turning to teaching. In 1963, on the age of 33, Don made historical past by turning into the youngest particular person to ever function a head NFL coach. This historic second was solely a preview of issues to return.
After teaching the Baltimore Colts from 1963-1969, Don was employed by the Dolphins. He remained as their head coach from 1970-1995, a span of years that’s unequalled. Don presently holds the report for many NFL common season wins with 328 and most Tremendous Bowl’s coached with six. In 1997, in a transfer that everybody noticed coming, Don Shula was inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Since retired, Don now lends his identify to a series of eating places in Florida, Shula’s Steakhouse. He additionally spends time with the Don Shula Basis, a basis striving to discover a treatment for breast most cancers. Don fashioned this group in 1991 proper earlier than his first spouse succumbed to the illness.
Lawrence Richard Csonka
Within the early 1970’s, some males feared the Vietnam draft, and others feared Lawrence Csonka. At 6’3, 235 kilos, he was a working again with the flexibility to run over – or via – defenders. He was additionally an excellent blocker and an excellent receiver, making him a triple menace on offense. Nominated for 5 Professional Bowls, Lawrence was All-Professional in 1971, 1972, and 1973. He was named MVP of Tremendous Bowl VIII and inducted into the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1987. Within the 1996 NFL Movies manufacturing of The NFL’s 100 Hardest Gamers, Lawrence claimed the quantity ten spot.
Since hanging up his cleats, Lawrence has been a motivational speaker, an avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a number of looking and fishing reveals, a Normal Supervisor in the USA Soccer League, and an analyst on American Gladiators. He’s presently President and Government Producer of Zonk! Productions in Lisbon, Ohio and producer and host of a nature program known as NAPA’s North to Alaska.
Jake Scott
For 9 seasons, Jake Scott performed within the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. He served as a free security and a punt returner and made his solution to 5 consecutive Professional Bowls. Whereas enjoying with the Dolphins, he had 35 interceptions over six seasons, together with two within the Dolphin’s Excellent Season Tremendous Bowl Victory. Logging 63 return yards in that sport as properly, Jake was named Tremendous Bowl MVP. Within the 1980’s, Jake was deemed the Dolphins All-Time Neutralizer by NFL Movies . He was inducted into the Georgia-Florida Corridor of Fame in 1998. At present, Jake lives in Hawaii the place he’s an investor.
Jim Kiick
Forming a duo with Lawrence Csonka, Jim Kiick was the opposite a part of Miami’s working sport. Identified, together with Csonka, as “Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Child,” Kiick performed in Miami from 1968 till 1974. His profession was marked by enjoying in three Tremendous Bowls, and racking up speeding yards. Within the Dolphin’s report books, Kiick stays listed because the fourth all-time main rusher.
In later years, his soccer profession was marked by some oddities. These included Kiick and Csonka signing with the World Soccer League. Kiick ultimately got here again to the NFL the place he was launched by the Denver Broncos. As unhealthy luck would have it, this launch got here on the identical day that Kiick noticed his marriage finish and his home burn down.
In 1996, Kiick was named to the College of Wyoming’s Sports activities Corridor of Fame. He’s now president of Kiick Sports activities Promotions, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His company books former gamers for particular appearances.
Nick Buoniconti
A linebacker who performed for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins, Nick was instrumental in each play and management throughout his profession. He was named to the AFL All-star group in 1969 and the Professional Bowl in 1972 and 1973. Within the latter yr, he set a report by making 162 tackles, 91 of which had been unassisted. In 2001, he was named to the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame.
Since retirement, Nick served as President of the US Tobacco Firm and was a co-host on the HBO collection, Contained in the NFL. Over the previous 20 years, he has been an instrumental determine within the Miami Challenge to Remedy Paralysis. He started participating on this basis when his son Marc was paralyzed throughout a 1985 school soccer sport. This basis has since turn out to be one of many main neurological analysis facilities on this planet.
Nick is believed to be essentially the most vocal member of the Excellent Season Miami Dolphins group. He’s rumored to guide a champagne toast annually after the lingering undefeated group suffers its first defeat.
Till one other group can equal an unblemished report, it is merely backside’s up for Nick and the remainder of the 1972 members. The opposite NFL franchises solely hope is to maintain on fishing and pray that one thing, moreover a Dolphin, will chew.