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. Morrall replaced an injured Bob Griese in Week 5 of the 1972 season and reeled off 11 straight wins all the way to the Super Bowl. Still an athlete, the 76-year-old is trying his hand at masters golf as the competitive bug never escaped him. [23] A short Vikings punt was followed by a six-play Miami drive and a three-yard touchdown pass from Griese to Mandich to give the Dolphins a 1614 win. The offensive line included future Hall of Famers Jim Langer and Larry Little. Shula coached the only perfect season in NFL history and is the all-time winningest coach in league history. After a few more plays, Morris scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a Yepremian extra point. 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. Later in the quarter, Dolphins cornerback Lloyd Mumphord intercepted Cardinals quarterback Jim Hart and returned the ball for a touchdown. [51], Because home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly rotation prior to the 1975 postseason, the Dolphins traveled to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game on December31 despite being undefeated. However, in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins put together another scoring drive that included a 26-yard pass from Morrall to Morris and then 4-yard rush by Morris for the touchdown. Briscoe was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com, Rise of the CANNABIS allergy: 36 million Americans are allergic to marijuana - including other people's - causing asthma, inflammation and rashes, Chance the Rapper teaches Twitter followers how to detect inflammatory breast cancer after his aunt dies of the notoriously difficult-to-spot disease, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' 3. 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. [27], A field goal early in the third quarter increased Miami's lead to ten points. Bottom line: The perfect season almost ended perfectly until Garo Yepremian got in trouble for trying to do too much. Coach Don Shula also died in that timeframe (May 4, 2020). Mike Howell, cornerback: Intercepted 23 passes in seven-plus seasons in Cleveland before coming to the Dolphins in mid-1972 and playing one game. Just over halfway through the fourth quarter, the Redskins again drove far into Dolphins territory. [55], 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. You'll now receive the top Dolphins Wire stories each day directly in your inbox. Leon Sandcastle Kansas City Chiefs Custom Football Card. [37], Miami increased their lead again in the third quarter with a 7-yard pass from Morrall to tight end Marv Fleming. Bottom line: Some 45 years before Nick Foles went from backup to Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Earl Morrall nearly did the same. Dallas Cowboys' running back Duane Thomas takes the hand off and runs with the ball against the Miami Dolphins during Super Bowl VI at Tulane Stadium. Like many of his 1972 teammates, Fleming also dabbled in real estate once his playing days were over. Bottom line: The origin of the greatest season in NFL history started with the Dolphins only loss during the calendar year of 1972. 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. Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese entered the game in the fourth quarter, his first time on the field since his injury against the Chargers in Week 5. 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. 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. No reason was given why Heinz sold the ring, but it went for $68,004. Look back at his long-standing career, his passion for preparation and more. At least 10 players from that team have died five of them from cancer. Swift made a career change a couple of years after that perfect season and walked away from the game at 27. Forty five years later, key members of the legendary squad are now paying a dear price for their sacrifice. Kuechenberg died in January 2019 at the age of 71. This ultimately set up a 35-yard field goal by Buffalo's John Leypoldt. The second quarter then ended after Yepremian kicked a 24-yard field goal. He was in his second NFL season when the Dolphins struck perfection, and he was the youngest starter on the team at the age of 23. The 1972 Miami Dolphins took on the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. Shortly thereafter, Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall was intercepted by Bills safety Tony Greene and returned for a touchdown, narrowing Miami's lead to 1613. He died in 1972. 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 . In the Divisional Round the year prior, Miami defeated Kansas City at Kansas City Municipal Stadium in double overtime, the longest game in NFL history. Late in the second quarter, Morrall attempted to throw a lateral pass, but fumbled and Buffalo defensive tackle Don Croft secured the ball. He became an anesthesiologist and works for Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, the earliest established public hospital in the United States. NFL experience: 11 years, all with Dolphins (1970-80). The 1972 Miami Dolphins were named the No. He played every offensive snap during the championship season, and his quickness after snapping the ball allowed him to get to the second level and provide more rushing lanes. NFL experience: 8 years, all with Dolphins (1969-76). In Miami, he recorded 133 receptions for 2,171 yards and 18 touchdowns. BJ. After serving three years in a jail cell that was in the shadow of the Orange Bowl, Morris was granted a new trial due to entrapment and reached a plea deal, which got him out of prison. [48], Miami extended their lead further in the second quarter, when wide receiver Paul Warfield caught a 34-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall. The only score in the first quarter was 36-yard field goal by Miami's Garo Yepremian. The Dolphins also caught the Vikings in the midst of a massive transformation following the return of Fran Tarkenton, missing the playoffs for the only time between 1968 and 1978, finishing 77. The Dolphins held a 140 lead at halftime. The team compiled a postseason mark of 3-0. [51], Near the beginning of the third quarter, Browns safety Thom Darden had a significant punt return of 38yards, which ultimately set up the drive in which Browns quarterback Mike Phipps scored a rushing touchdown. Those are seven individuals who are known to have been diagnosed with football-related illnesses. Jim Langer, shown playing for the Dolphins in Super Bowl VII, died at age 71. By Morris, the leading rusher of the game, accumulated 90rushing yards and 35receiving yards; he scored 3rushing touchdowns. Later in the third quarter, Leypoldt kicked a 28-yard field goal, cutting their deficit to 2316 at the end of the period. 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. 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,. Morris was sentenced to 20 years in prison in 1982 due to cocaine trafficking. . He reportedly lost his Super Bowl rings, both used as collateral for a loan he couldn't repay. Charles Irving "Charlie" Leigh Sr. (October 29, 1945 - October 26, 2006) was a National Football League (NFL) running back.He was the first and only NFL player to be signed out of high school. Miami now led by 243 after the third quarter. NFL experience: 9 years (1968-74, 1976-77), Career stats: 1,029 ATT, 3,759 YDS, 3.7 AVG, 29 TD, 233 REC, 2,302 RYDS, 4 RTD, 1972 stats: 137 ATT, 521 YDS, 3.8 AVG, 5 TD, 21 REC, 147 RYDS, 1 RTD, 1972 postseason stats: 34 ATT, 100 YDS, 2.9 AVG, 4 TD, 3 REC, 11 RYDS, 0 RTD. He was the quarterback coach at the University of Miami where he groomed Jim Kelly and Vinny Testaverde among others. Our goal was not to go to the Super Bowl but to win it. In Shula's first season, the Dolphins went 104 and reached the playoffs for the first time. Miami quickly responded with a 10play, 82-yard drive capped off by a 12-yard rush by Mercury Morris for a touchdown and a successful extra point attempt by Garo Yepremian. These days, there are 16 regular-season games (and soon maybe even more ) plus the three to four playoff games needed to win a . Buoniconti said he wouldn't have played football if he had known about the risks it posed to his brain health. 1 : Yepremian, Garo: 57 : Kolen, Mike: 11 : Del Gaizo, James: 58 : Jenkins, Alfred: 12 : Griese, Bob: 59 : Swift, Doug: 13 : Scott, Jake: 62 : Langer, Jim: 15 [54] Consequently, Miami remained undefeated and advanced to Super Bowl VII. NFL, via Associated Press Earl Morrall, the backup quarterback and oldest member of the 1972. CDC BUILDING DATABASE ON SPORTS-RELATED CONCUSSIONS. Lloyd Mumphord blocked a Jan Stenerud field goal attempt on Kansas City's ensuing drive. Obama, a Chicago resident and Bears fan,[67] had called the 1985 Bears the greatest team ever, but during the Dolphins' visit, he called his own words into question, also noting that the 1985 Bears' only defeat came at the hands of the Dolphins. He would go on to play nine seasons, including three with the Dolphins. He was 30 years old. espnpressroom.com. However, the Dolphins cut the Jets lead to 1714 just before halftime on a drive that ended with a 1-yard run by running back Mercury Morris. The NFL's rules at the time forced the undefeated Dolphins (140) to play the Steelers (113) in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game. The team was led by third-year head coach Don Shula and achieved the only perfect season in NFL history. Van Herder was unable to attend the ceremony because it was harvest season, and he had crops to attend to. Three players of the 1972 "perfect season" Miami Dolphins Nick Buoniconti, Jake Scott and Jim Kiick agreed to donate their brain in death to further research of chronic traumatic encephalopathy . Only one team has ever gone wire-to-wire to secure an undefeated season: The 1972 Miami Dolphins, who went 14-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the playoffs to win Super Bowl 7 over Washington. The center has posthumously examined the brains of six members of the 1972 Dolphins, who were 17-0. If those werent enough honors, Little recently received his honorary doctorate from Bethune-Cookman. In 2006, he said the current Dolphins "do not have a soul" after a sluggish start to the season and said then-coach Nick Saban should be impeached. Kidwiler Collection / Diamond Images/Getty Images. Miami annihilated New England both offensively and defensively. Denver didnt give him a chance to compete for the quarterback job in 1969, so he asked to be released.