As the NFL season comes to a close, the 1972 Miami
Dolphins breathe a sigh of relief; another year has passed and, nearly
three and a half decades later, they still remain the only professional
football team to achieve perfection. Over the years a few teams, the
Bears, the Broncos, the Colts, and the Colts yet again, have caused the
Dolphins to sweat profusely in the pit of their fins; these teams have
come close but no cigar, especially not Don Shula‘s.
It’s safe to
say that all members of the 1972 Dolphins have since retired and moved
on to other ventures. Some remain in sports, some engage in completely
different activities. No matter where they are and what they are doing,
the members of this Dolphin’s team still holds a place in NFL
history…at least for the time being. This makes us think about them,
remembering how they were and wondering what they’re doing now.
Bob Griese
An
All-Star, a Pro Bowler, a six time Dolphin’s MVP, Bob Griese was
inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Pro
Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Known more for his leadership than his
arm - as he passed a little in some games and a lot in others - Bob led
Miami to nine winning seasons.
After retiring from football, Bob
went on to support his son Brian’s collegiate and professional football
careers, stating that watching Brian win the Rose Bowl was one of the
greatest moments of this life. In 2000, he and Brian wrote a book
called Undefeated, which discussed the Dolphin’s perfect season
as well as the death of Bob’s first wife to breast cancer. Bob is
presently an ABC College Football Analyst and recently appeared on the
game show Wheel of Fortune.
Don Shula
One of
the most recognizable coaches in the entire world of sports, Don Shula
began his football career with the Cleveland Browns in 1951 as a
cornerback. During his playing days, he played for the Browns, the
Baltimore Colts, and the Washington Redskins before turning to
coaching. In 1963, at the age of 33, Don made history by becoming the
youngest person to ever serve as a head NFL coach. This historical
moment was only a preview of things to come.
After coaching the
Baltimore Colts from 1963-1969, Don was hired by the Dolphins. He
remained as their head coach from 1970-1995, a span of years that is
unrivaled. Don currently holds the record for most NFL regular season
wins with 328 and most Super Bowl’s coached with six. In 1997, in a
move that everyone saw coming, Don Shula was inducted into the Pro
Football Hall of Fame.
Since retired, Don now lends his name to a chain of restaurants in Florida, Shula’s Steakhouse. He also spends time with the Don Shula Foundation,
a foundation striving to find a cure for breast cancer. Don formed this
organization in 1991 right before his first wife succumbed to the
disease.
Lawrence Richard Csonka
In the early
1970’s, some men feared the Vietnam draft, and others feared Lawrence
Csonka. At 6’3, 235 pounds, he was a running back with the ability to
run over - or through - defenders. He was also a great blocker and a
great receiver, making him a triple threat on offense. Nominated for
five Pro Bowls, Lawrence was All-Pro in 1971, 1972, and 1973. He was
named MVP of Super Bowl VIII and inducted into the Pro Football Hall of
Fame in 1987. In the 1996 NFL Films production of The NFL’s 100 Toughest Players, Lawrence claimed the number ten spot.
Since
hanging up his cleats, Lawrence has been a motivational speaker, an
avid outdoorsman and conservationist, a host of hunting and fishing
shows, a General Manager in the United States Football League, and an
analyst on American Gladiators. He is currently President and Executive Producer of Zonk! Productions in Lisbon, Ohio and producer and host of a nature program called NAPA’s North to Alaska.
Jake Scott
For
nine seasons, Jake Scott played in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins and
the Washington Redskins. He served as a free safety and a punt returner
and made his way to five consecutive Pro Bowls. While playing with the
Dolphins, he had 35 interceptions over six seasons, including two in
the Dolphin’s Perfect Season Super Bowl Victory. Logging 63 return
yards in that game as well, Jake was named Super Bowl MVP. In the
1980’s, Jake was deemed the Dolphins All-Time Neutralizer by
NFL Films . He was inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame in
1998. Currently, Jake lives in Hawaii where he is an investor.
Jim Kiick
Forming
a duo with Lawrence Csonka, Jim Kiick was the other part of Miami’s
running game. Known, along with Csonka, as “Butch Cassidy And The
Sundance Kid,” Kiick played in Miami from 1968 until 1974. His career
was marked by playing in three Super Bowls, and racking up rushing
yards. In the Dolphin’s record books, Kiick remains listed as the
fourth all-time leading rusher.
In later years, his football
career was marked by some oddities. These included Kiick and Csonka
signing with the World Football League. Kiick eventually came back to
the NFL where he was released by the Denver Broncos. As bad luck would
have it, this release came on the same day that Kiick saw his marriage
end and his house burn down.
In 1996, Kiick was named to the University of Wyoming’s Sports Hall of Fame. He is now president of Kiick Sports Promotions, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His agency books former players for special appearances.
Nick Buoniconti
A
linebacker who played for the Boston Patriots and the Miami Dolphins,
Nick was instrumental in both play and leadership during his career. He
was named to the AFL All-star team in 1969 and the Pro Bowl in 1972 and
1973. In the latter year, he set a record by making 162 tackles, 91 of
which were unassisted. In 2001, he was named to the Pro Football Hall
of Fame.
Since retirement, Nick served as President of the US Tobacco Company and was a co-host on the HBO series, Inside the NFL. Over the past two decades, he has been an instrumental figure in the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.
He began taking part in this foundation when his son Marc was paralyzed
during a 1985 college football game. This foundation has since become
one of the leading neurological research centers in the world.
Nick
is believed to be the most vocal member of the Perfect Season Miami
Dolphins team. He is rumored to lead a champagne toast each year after
the lingering undefeated team suffers its first defeat.
Until
another team can equal an unblemished record, it’s simply bottom’s up
for Nick and the rest of the 1972 members. The other NFL franchises
only hope is to keep on fishing and pray that something, besides a
Dolphin, will bite.
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