1972 Miami Dolphins season
Encyclopedia
The 1972 Miami Dolphins
are the only National Football League
team to win the Super Bowl
with a perfect season
. The undefeated campaign was led by coach Don Shula
and notable players Bob Griese
, Earl Morrall
, and Larry Csonka
(among many others). This team went 14–0 in the regular season and won all three post-season games, including Super Bowl VII
against the Washington Redskins
, to finish 17–0. As of 2010
, the 1972 Dolphins remain the only NFL team to complete an entire season undefeated and untied from the opening game through the Super Bowl (or championship game). In addition, the Dolphins continued their winning streak to 18 straight games, before losing in the second week of the 1973 season
.
During the 1972 season, Bob Griese's ankle was broken in Week 5 as he was sacked by San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ron East
. He was replaced by veteran Earl Morrall
for the rest of the regular season. Griese returned to the field as a substitute during the AFC Championship game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers
and then started for Miami in Super Bowl VII
. On the ground, running backs Larry Csonka
and Mercury Morris
became the first teammates to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Paul Warfield
led the receivers, averaging over 20 yards per catch on 29 receptions. The offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer
and Larry Little
and Pro Bowler Norm Evans
. The 1972
Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense because Miami’s impressive offense received much more publicity, was the league’s best that year. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti
, end Bill Stanfill
, tackle Manny Fernandez
, and safeties Dick Anderson
and Jake Scott. In all, nine players—Csonka, Morris, Warfield, Little, Evans, Buoniconti, Stanfill, Anderson and Scott— were selected to the Pro Bowl
, and Morrall, Stanfill and Anderson were named 1st team All-Pro.
and Nick Buoniconti
, who live near each other sometimes have a toast together. However, in a college football broadcast on ABC, following the loss of an undefeated team, Bob Griese, after being asked by his colleague, commented that he called former Dolphins, and they had Diet Coke
s together. That celebration comes with the connotation that they no longer drink alcoholic beverages, but that a toast was customary.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins were the first team to execute a perfect regular season in the modern, post-Merger NFL. They are the only team in NFL history to go undefeated in the regular season and postseason.
An enduring controversy is that the 1972 Dolphins played a soft schedule not possible under the current scheduling formula. Prior to the implementation of position scheduling in 1978, opponents were set by the NFL on a rotating basis. Statistically, the Dolphin’s 1972 schedule was one of the weakest played by any team in many years. Their regular-season opponents had an aggregate winning percentage of .396 and only two opponents had winning records that year (both were 8–6). However, the NFL's rules at the time also forced the undefeated Dolphins to play in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game, an obstacle subsequent rule changes ensured no team with a superior record would face again, and the Dolphins won the game on the road to reach the Super Bowl.
Other teams are occasionally cited as undefeated based on their regular season record. Among these are:
Teams since 1972 which have come close to matching the perfect season are:
1972 was the last year that all home games were blacked out on local television even if they did sell out. Super Bowl VII
, in fact, was the first game to be televised in the market of origin under new rules which would come into effect the following season – games must be sold out within 72 hours of kickoff time in order to be aired in the market of origin. As all Super Bowls except the first have sold out, none have been blacked out since (tickets sell out rather quickly due to high demand to see such a major game).
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
are the only National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
team to win the Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
with a perfect season
Perfect Season
A perfect season is any sports season, excluding the playoff portion of a season, in which a team remains undefeated and untied. The feat is extremely rare at the professional level of any team sport, and has occurred more commonly at the collegiate level in the United States.A perfect season may...
. The undefeated campaign was led by coach Don Shula
Don Shula
Donald Francis "Don" Shula is a former American football cornerback and coach.He is best known as coach of the Miami Dolphins, the team he led to two Super Bowl victories, and to the National Football League's only perfect season. Shula was named 1993 Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated....
and notable players Bob Griese
Bob Griese
Robert Allen "Bob" Griese is a former American collegiate and Professional Football quarterback who earned All-American honors with the Purdue Boilermakers before being drafted in 1967 by the American Football League's Miami Dolphins...
, Earl Morrall
Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
, and Larry Csonka
Larry Csonka
Larry Richard Csonka is a former collegiate and professional American football fullback.-Childhood:One of six children, Csonka was born in Stow, Ohio where he was raised on a farm by his Hungarian family...
(among many others). This team went 14–0 in the regular season and won all three post-season games, including Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII was an American football game played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1972 regular season...
against the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, to finish 17–0. As of 2010
2010 NFL season
The 2010 NFL season was the 91st regular season of the National Football League.The regular season began with the NFL Kickoff game on NBC on Thursday, September 9, at the Louisiana Superdome as the New Orleans Saints, Super Bowl XLIV champions, defeated the Minnesota Vikings 14–9.Tom Brady,...
, the 1972 Dolphins remain the only NFL team to complete an entire season undefeated and untied from the opening game through the Super Bowl (or championship game). In addition, the Dolphins continued their winning streak to 18 straight games, before losing in the second week of the 1973 season
1973 Miami Dolphins season
-Awards and honors:* Larry Csonka, Super Bowl Most Valuable Player* Larry Csonka, Pro Bowl Selection* Bob Griese, Pro Bowl Selection-Notes and references:**...
.
During the 1972 season, Bob Griese's ankle was broken in Week 5 as he was sacked by San Diego Chargers defensive tackle Ron East
Ron East
Ronald Allan East is a former American football defensive tackle in the National Football League from 1967 to 1977. He played for Oregon State University and Montana State University in college following his completion of service to the United States Marine Corps.Ron East was the fifth defensive...
. He was replaced by veteran Earl Morrall
Earl Morrall
Earl Edwin Morrall is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. Morrall, who also occasionally punted, played 21 seasons in the National Football League as both a starter and reserve. In the latter capacity, he became known as the greatest backup quarterback in NFL...
for the rest of the regular season. Griese returned to the field as a substitute during the AFC Championship game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and then started for Miami in Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII was an American football game played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1972 regular season...
. On the ground, running backs Larry Csonka
Larry Csonka
Larry Richard Csonka is a former collegiate and professional American football fullback.-Childhood:One of six children, Csonka was born in Stow, Ohio where he was raised on a farm by his Hungarian family...
and Mercury Morris
Mercury Morris
Eugene Edward "Mercury" Morris , is a former American football player, nicknamed early on for his mercurial quickness when running with the ball. Morris was a running back and kick returner for 9 years, playing mostly for the Miami Dolphins...
became the first teammates to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Paul Warfield
Paul Warfield
Paul Dryden Warfield is a former professional American football wide receiver in the 1960s and 1970s known for his speed, fluid moves, grace, jumping ability and hands.- Football career :...
led the receivers, averaging over 20 yards per catch on 29 receptions. The offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer
Jim Langer
James John Langer is a former American football center who played for the National Football League's Miami Dolphins and Minnesota Vikings. He is considered one of the greatest NFL centers of all time and a hard working and quick blocker...
and Larry Little
Larry Little
Lawrence Chatmon Little is a former offensive guard in college and professional American football in the National Football League. He has been elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993...
and Pro Bowler Norm Evans
Norm Evans
Norman Evans is a former American Professional Football offensive tackle who played fourteen seasons, ten of those with the Miami Dolphins, first in the American Football League, later in the NFL. He was selected to two Pro Bowls and played in three Super Bowls.-External links:*...
. The 1972
1972 NFL season
The 1972 NFL season was the 53rd regular season of the National Football League. The Miami Dolphins became the first NFL team to finish a championship season undefeated and untied when they beat the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.-Major rule changes:...
Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense because Miami’s impressive offense received much more publicity, was the league’s best that year. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti
Nick Buoniconti
Nicholas Anthony Buoniconti is a former American Football League and NFL Hall of Fame middle linebacker, who played for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins....
, end Bill Stanfill
Bill Stanfill
William Thomas Stanfill is a former defensive end for the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League and then the NFL after the AFL-NFL merger of 1970.-High school years:...
, tackle Manny Fernandez
Manny Fernandez (American football)
Manuel Jose Fernandez is a former American football player of who played eight seasons for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League...
, and safeties Dick Anderson
Dick Anderson
Richard Paul Anderson is a former American football safety for the AFL's and NFL's Miami Dolphins, where he played for his entire ten year career from 1968 to 1977 missing one of those seasons with a knee injury....
and Jake Scott. In all, nine players—Csonka, Morris, Warfield, Little, Evans, Buoniconti, Stanfill, Anderson and Scott— were selected to the Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
, and Morrall, Stanfill and Anderson were named 1st team All-Pro.
Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 17, 1972 | at Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a... |
W 20–10 | 1–0 | |
| 2 | September 24, 1972 | Houston Oilers Tennessee Titans The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter... |
W 34–13 | 2–0 | |
| 3 | October 1, 1972 | at Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960... |
W 16–14 | 3–0 | |
| 4 | October 8, 1972 | at New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 27–17 | 4–0 | |
| 5 | October 15, 1972 | San Diego Chargers San Diego Chargers The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 24–10 | 5–0 | |
| 6 | October 22, 1972 | Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 24–23 | 6–0 | |
| 7 | October 29, 1972 | at Baltimore Colts | W 23–0 | 7–0 | |
| 8 | November 5, 1972 | at Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 30–16 | 8–0 | |
| 9 | November 12, 1972 | New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
W 52–0 | 9–0 | |
| 10 | November 19, 1972 | New York Jets New York Jets The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 28–24 | 10–0 | |
| 11 | November 27, 1972 | St. Louis Cardinals Arizona Cardinals The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 31–10 | 11–0 | |
| 12 | December 3, 1972 | at New England Patriots New England Patriots The New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National... |
W 37–21 | 12–0 | |
| 13 | December 10, 1972 | at New York Giants New York Giants The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 23–13 | 13–0 | |
| 14 | December 16, 1972 | Baltimore Colts Indianapolis Colts The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League .... |
W 16–0 | 14–0 | |
Playoffs
| Game | Date | Opponent | Result | Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divisional playoffs | December 24, 1972 | Cleveland Browns Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League... |
W 20–14 | |
| Conference championship | December 31, 1972 | at Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC... |
W 21–17 | |
| Super Bowl VII Super Bowl VII Super Bowl VII was an American football game played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1972 regular season... |
January 14, 1973 | Washington Redskins Washington Redskins The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... |
W 14–7 | |
Standings
| AFC East AFC East The American Football Conference – Eastern Division or AFC East is a division of the National Football League's American Football Conference. There are four members: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots , and New York Jets... |
||||||
| Team | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Dolphins | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 385 | 171 |
| New York Jets 1972 New York Jets season The 1972 New York Jets season was the 13th season for the team and the third in the National Football League. It began with the team trying to improve upon its 6–8 record from 1971 under legendary head coach Weeb Ewbank... |
7 | 7 | 0 | .500 | 367 | 324 |
| Baltimore Colts 1972 Baltimore Colts season The 1972 Baltimore Colts season was the 20th season for the team in the National Football League. The Baltimore Colts finished the National Football League's 1972 season with a record of 5 wins and 9 losses, and finished third in the AFC East.-Offseason:... |
5 | 9 | 0 | .357 | 235 | 252 |
| Buffalo Bills 1972 Buffalo Bills season The 1972 Buffalo Bills season was the 13th season for the club and its 3rd in the National Football League. It was also their last season at War Memorial Stadium which has been their home field since 1960.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:- Standings :... |
4 | 9 | 1 | .321 | 257 | 377 |
| New England Patriots 1972 New England Patriots season The New England Patriots finished the National Football League's 1972 season with a record of three wins and eleven losses, and finished last in the AFC East division.-Staff:-Schedule:- Standings :-Roster:... |
3 | 11 | 0 | .214 | 192 | 446 |
Urban legend
There is an urban legend that every season, whenever the last remaining undefeated NFL team loses its first game, all the surviving members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins open bottles of champagne in celebration. Coach Don Shula tried to play down the myth by saying that two players, Dick AndersonDick Anderson
Richard Paul Anderson is a former American football safety for the AFL's and NFL's Miami Dolphins, where he played for his entire ten year career from 1968 to 1977 missing one of those seasons with a knee injury....
and Nick Buoniconti
Nick Buoniconti
Nicholas Anthony Buoniconti is a former American Football League and NFL Hall of Fame middle linebacker, who played for the Boston Patriots and Miami Dolphins....
, who live near each other sometimes have a toast together. However, in a college football broadcast on ABC, following the loss of an undefeated team, Bob Griese, after being asked by his colleague, commented that he called former Dolphins, and they had Diet Coke
Diet Coke
Diet Coke is a sugar-free soft drink produced and distributed by The Coca-Cola Company. It was first introduced in the United States on August 9, 1982, as the first new brand since 1886 to use the Coca-Cola trademark...
s together. That celebration comes with the connotation that they no longer drink alcoholic beverages, but that a toast was customary.
The perfect season
An enduring controversy is that the 1972 Dolphins played a soft schedule not possible under the current scheduling formula. Prior to the implementation of position scheduling in 1978, opponents were set by the NFL on a rotating basis. Statistically, the Dolphin’s 1972 schedule was one of the weakest played by any team in many years. Their regular-season opponents had an aggregate winning percentage of .396 and only two opponents had winning records that year (both were 8–6). However, the NFL's rules at the time also forced the undefeated Dolphins to play in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game, an obstacle subsequent rule changes ensured no team with a superior record would face again, and the Dolphins won the game on the road to reach the Super Bowl.
Other teams are occasionally cited as undefeated based on their regular season record. Among these are:
- 1920 Akron Pros1920 Akron Pros seasonThe Akron Pros were an American football team that played in the American Professional Football Association . The team originally formed as the Akron Indians in 1908 in the Ohio League. In their twelfth year in 1920, they became a charter member of the AFPA, which subsequently changed its name to...
, 8–0–3 (originally 8-0, until the NFL retroactively included ties as part of a team's standings in 1972) - 1922 Canton Bulldogs1922 Canton Bulldogs season- Week 1 : Louisville Brecks :at Lakeside Park, Canton, Ohio* Game time:* Game weather:* Game attendance: 4,500* Referee:Scoring Drives:* Canton - Miller 10 run...
, 10–0–2 (originally 10-0, until the NFL retroactively included ties as part of a team's standings in 1972) - 1923 Canton Bulldogs1923 Canton Bulldogs seasonThe 1923 Canton Bulldogs season was their fourth in the league. The team improved on their previous output of 10-0-2, winning eleven games. With the best record in the league, they were crowned the NFL Champions.-Schedule:-Standings:-References:...
, 11–0–1 (originally 11-0, until the NFL retroactively included ties as part of a team's standings in 1972) - 1929 Green Bay Packers1929 Green Bay Packers seasonThe 1929 Green Bay Packers season was their ninth season in the National Football League. The club posted an undefeated 12-0-1 record under player/coach Curly Lambeau, earning them a first-place finish and the Packers' first National Football League Championship...
, 12–0–1 (previously 12-0, until the NFL retroactively included ties as part of a team's standings in 1972) - 1934 Chicago Bears1934 Chicago Bears seasonThe 1934 Chicago Bears season was their 15th regular season and 3rd postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted an unprecedented 13-0 record in the second year of George Halas's second tenure...
, 13–0, lost championship game - 1942 Chicago Bears1942 Chicago Bears seasonThe 1942 Chicago Bears season was their 23rd regular season and 7th postseason completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 11-0 record under head coach George Halas and temporary co-coaches Hunk Anderson and Luke Johnsos...
, 11–0, lost championship game - 1948 Cleveland Browns1948 Cleveland Browns seasonThe 1948 Cleveland Browns season was the team's third season with the All-America Football Conference. It was also a perfect season, recognized as such by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, although the NFL, as the AAFC's former rival, does not recognize it...
, 14–0, as members of All-America Football Conference prior to joining NFL - 2007 New England Patriots2007 New England Patriots seasonThe 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. They finished with a perfect 16–0 regular season record but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII....
, 16–0, lost Super Bowl XLII
Teams since 1972 which have come close to matching the perfect season are:
- 1976 Oakland Raiders1976 Oakland Raiders season-Season:The Road to their first World Championship began on opening day as they faced the reigning world champion Pittsburgh Steelers. In their home opener, Oakland trailed 28–14 with just over five minutes to play, yet orchestrated what many to this day refer to as their Comeback Classic of 1976...
, 16–1, won Super Bowl - 1984 San Francisco 49ers1984 San Francisco 49ers seasonThe 1984 San Francisco 49ers season was their 39th season in the National Football League. The season was highlighted by their second Super Bowl victory. The franchise had their best season ever with a record of 15 wins and only 1 loss...
, 18–1, won Super Bowl (ironically defeating the Dolphins in the Super Bowl) - 1985 Chicago Bears1985 Chicago Bears seasonThe 1985 Chicago Bears season was their 66th regular season and 16th post-season completed in the National Football League. The club posted a 15-1 record, earning them the top seed in the NFC for the playoffs. The Bears defeated their three post season opponents by a combined score of 91-10 en...
, 18–1, won Super Bowl (ironically losing to the Dolphins in their only regular season loss on Monday Night Football. It was the highest rated MNF Game of all time) - 2007 New England Patriots2007 New England Patriots seasonThe 2007 New England Patriots season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League and 48th season overall. They finished with a perfect 16–0 regular season record but lost to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII....
, 18–1, lost Super Bowl
Television coverage
Remarkably, fans in the Miami area could not catch the home games on television – they either had to be there at the games, listen to the radio, or travel to watch the games on TV.1972 was the last year that all home games were blacked out on local television even if they did sell out. Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII
Super Bowl VII was an American football game played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, to decide the National Football League champion following the 1972 regular season...
, in fact, was the first game to be televised in the market of origin under new rules which would come into effect the following season – games must be sold out within 72 hours of kickoff time in order to be aired in the market of origin. As all Super Bowls except the first have sold out, none have been blacked out since (tickets sell out rather quickly due to high demand to see such a major game).