Photos: Undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins honored 40 years later
August 20, 2013
** FILE ** Miami Dolphins' coach Don Shula lets out with a roar as the gun sounds to give his Dolphins a 14-7 Super Bowl victory over the Washington Redskins in Los Angeles in this Jan. 14, 1973 file photo. Shula coached the 1972 Dolphins to a 17-0 record, still the only perfect season in NFL history. The New England Patriots can finish 19-0 if they beat the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII on Sunday, Feb. 3, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/File) ( Super Bowl 72 Dolphins Football )
Former Miami Dolphins football quarterback Bob Griese, left, President Barack Obama and 1972 Dolphins Coach Don Shula, right, hold a signed jersey in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, during a ceremony honoring the Super Bowl VII football Champion Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. Form left are, Griese, wide receiver Paul Warfield, the president, running back Larry Csonka and Shula. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ( Obama 1972 Dolphins Football )
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 20: U.S. President Barack Obama shares a moment with quarterback Bob Griese as Obama hosts members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins during an East Room event August 20, 2013 at the White House in Washington, DC. President Obama hosted the undefeated 1972 Super Bowl champion who didnt get the chance to be honored at the White House back then. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) ( 177061384 )
President Barack Obama shakes hands with Hall of Fame football Coach Don Shula, right seated, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, where the president honored the Super Bowl VII football Champion Miami Dolphins. From left are, quarterback Bob Griese, the president and running back Larry Csonka and Shula. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) ( Obama 1972 Dolphins Football )
1972 Miami Dolphins head football coach Don Shula, right, shares a laugh with President Barack Obama, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, where the president honored the Super Bowl VII football champion Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) ( Obama 1972 Dolphins Football )
Former Miami Dolphins fullback Larry Csonka, second from left, grimaces as Hall of Fame coach Don Shula jokingly shakes a fist at him, during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, where President Barack Obama honored the Super Bowl VII football Champion Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. Wide receiver Paul Warfield is at left. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ( Obama 1972 Dolphins Football )
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula on Jan. 3, 1973, has been named National Football League coach of the year by the Associated Press. His team is so far undefeated, winning 14 regular season games, and two post season divisional contests. They will face the Washington Redskins in the Super Bowl on January 14. (AP Photo) ( Coach Don Shula Watching Team )
Miami Dolphins' Jim Mandich takes in a Bob Griese pass near the goal line during the second quarter of Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins in Los Angeles today, January 14, 1973. The pass came just before the second Miami TD. Chasing Mandich are Harold McLinton (53) and Brig Owens (23). Miami won 14-7. (AP Photo/stf) ( SUPER BOWL VII )
Miami middle line backer Nick Buoniconti (85) has his arms extended as he heckles New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath (12) during the final period in game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 1972 in the Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida. Namath was calling for quiet in the stadium to start a play and Nick was hollering at him. The Dolphins downed the Jets, 28-24 to post their 10th win of the season against no losses. (AP Photo/Steve Starr) ( Nick Buoniconti and Joe Namath )
Larry Csonka (39) of the Miami Dolphins gets some neck strain as he makes 4-yards and a first down In Miami, Fla., Oct. 22, 1972 against the Buffalo Bills. (AP Photo) ( DOLPHINS BILLS CSONKA )
Wide receiver Paul Warfield of the Miami Dolphins pulls in a pass from Bob Griese in National Football League action against the Houston Oilers in second quarter on a rainy at the Orange Bowl in Miami on Sunday, Sept. 24, 1972. Trying to reach Warfield is John Charles of the Oilers. (AP Photo) ( Football Professional Game Action )
Miami Dolphin Coach Don Shula leans forward in concentration as he watches his team deliver a 52-0 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday, Nov. 12, 1972 at Miami?s Orange Bowl for his 100th victory. Shula thus became the first NFL coach to win 100 games in his first 10 seasons. With him are Marv Fleming (80) and Larry Csonka (39). (AP Photo/RD) ( Coach Don Shula Leans Forward Concentrating )
FOOTBALL, NFL, ACTION, SCORING ( NFL Hall of Famers )
Cleveland Browns coach Nick Skorich, left, and Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula walk amongst the rejoicing Miami Dolphins fans in Miami on Dec. 24, 1972 after Miami Dolphins defeated Cleveland Browns 20-14, Shula the winner. (AP Photo) ( Coach Nick Skorich and Don Shula Fans Jubilating )
Miami Dolphins Eugene "Mercury" Morris (22) scores the winning touchdown Sunday, Oct. 23, 1972 in the Orange Bowl against Buffalo Bills as the Dolphins, in their 24-23 win, remain pro football only unbeaten team this season. Trying to stop Morris on his 15 yard jaunt in the fourth quarter is Buffalo's Mike Stratton. (AP Photo/Jim Bourdier) ( Bills Dolphins Football )
Dolphins running back Mercury Morris grimaces in pain as he is helped from the Orange Bowl, Saturday, Dec. 16, 1972 in Miami late in the game against Baltimore. Morris was just shy of 1000 yards rushing for the season when he was hurt. The Dolphins won, 16-0, and set a record for having won all 14 season games. (AP Photo) ( Mercury Morris Injured )
With mike cords draped over his fractured leg a dislocated ankle, Miami Dolphin quarterback Bob Griese gestures as he tells newsmen Monday, Oct. 17, 1972 in Miami, how was tackled in Sunday's game with San Diego that resulted in the injuries. Griese left Miami's Mercy Hospital on Monday. (AP Photo/Jim Bourdier) ( Bob Griese Injured )
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, front, runs a lap with the football club?s rookies as they shaped up in 78 degree heat at their Miami training camp on Friday, July 15, 1972 in Miami. The Dolphins began practice for the fall season last week. (AP Photo) ( Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula Running Rookies )
Miami Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall (15) with his receivers covered in the second half, Morrall scoots across the goal for a Dolphin score as Miami went on to down the New York Jets, 28-24, for their 11th win of the season against no losses. (AP Photo/Steve Starr ) ( Jets Dolphins Football )
Miami Dolphins fullback Larry Csonka (39) grinds out the yardage in their game against the Buffalo Bills at The Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla., Oct. 22, 1972. Making the stop in the first quarter are Bills' Maurice Tyler (42) and Dave Washington (86). (AP Photo) ( DOLPHINS BILLS CSONKA )
Miami Dolphins Jim Kiick goes headfirst over Pittsburgh Steelers" Glen Edwards Dec. 31, 1972 as Kiick scores in third quarter of the AFC championship game at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers Stadium. (AP Photo) ( DOLPHINS STEELERS )
Miami Dolphins running back Eugene "Mercury" Morris literally flies over the goal Sunday, Nov. 13, 1972 for a score against the New England Patriots, 52-0 to give coach Don Shula his 100th victory in ten years in the NFL. The game was played in Miami's orange Bowl. (AP Photo/Jim Bourdier) ( Patriots Dolphins Football )
Washington Redskins' coach George Allen, left, and Miami Dolphins' coach Don Shula, shakes hands on the field before the start of Super Bowl game at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Jan. 14, 1973. (AP Photo) ( George Allen and Don Shula )
Miami Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall gets to hurl another pass in their game against the New England Patriots Sunday afternoon, Nov. 12, 1972 at Miami's Orange Bowl. Up in the air to block is Patriot linebacker Ed Weisacosky (66) and blocking for Morrall is Jim Kiick (21). The Dolphins, pro football's only undefeated team, enjoyed a 31-0 halftime lead. (AP Photo) ( Patriots Dolphins Orange Bowl Football )
Miami Dolphins' Lloyd Mumphord, left, and Jake Scott (13) break up a pass to Washington Redskins' Charley Taylor near the goal line to stop a Redskin drive in the third quarter of the Super Bowl game in Los Angeles, Jan. 14, 1973. (AP Photo) ( NFL Hall of Famers )
Washington Redskins' quarterback Bill Kilmer (17) is hit by Miami Dolphins' Doug Swift (59), left, just after getting off pass which has intercepted by Dolphins' Nick Buoniconti (85), right, during Super Bowl game in Los Angeles Sunday, Jan. 15, 1973. Redskins' John Wilbur goes after Buoniconti. Dolphins w on 24-7. (AP Photo) ( Football Games Super Bowl 1973 Los Angeles Washington vs Miami )
Miami Dolphins' Howard Twilley takes in a Bob Griese pass and heads for the end zone for a touchdown in the first quarter of the Super Bowl game in Los Angeles, Jan. 14, 1973. Washington Redskins' Pat Fischer (37) chases Twilley. (AP Photo) ( Super Bowl VII Dolphins Redskins 1973 )
A smiling Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula is carried off the field after his team won the Super Bowl game with a 14-7 victory over Washington in Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 1973. Dolphins finished season undefeated with a 17-0 record. (AP Photo) ( Coach Don Shula is carried off the field )
A smiling Miami Dolphins Coach Don Shula is carried off the field after his team won the Super Bowl game with a 14-7 victory over Washington in Los Angeles on Jan. 14, 1973. Dolphins finished the season undefeated with a 17-0 record. (AP Photo) ( Coach Don Shula is carried off the field )
From left, Miami Dolphins football running back Mercury Morris, President Barack Obama, wide receiver Paul Warfield, watch as fullback Larry Csonka, and coach Don Shula share a laugh during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, where the president honored the Super Bowl VII football champions Dolphins forty-one years after their perfect football season. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) ( Obama 1972 Dolphins Football )
Former Miami Dolphins football quarterback Bob Griese, left, and Hall of Fame Dolphins Coach Don Shula, second from right, and Larry Csonka, right, pose for photographs with a signed team jersey during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, where the president honored the Super Bowl VII football Champion Miami Dolphins. The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) ( Obama 1972 Dolphins Football )
Former Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula listens during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House August 20, 2013 in Washington, DC. Obama was joined by members of the 1972 Miami Dolphins to celebrate the Super Bowl win against the Washington Redskins in 1973. BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images ( 522215356 )
Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula, right, and quarterback Bob Griese, pause for the photographer before start of another practice session at Miami, Florida on Monday, August 7, 1972. Griese speaking of winning the Super Bowl said, "There's only one more step, and it's our job to take it, anything short will be a disappointment. "Bob's a man who knows where he wants to go," said Shula, "and, he knows what we have to do to get there." (AP Photo) ( Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula Bob Griese Quarterback Posing )
Miami Dolphins running back Eugene "Mercury" Morris shown Aug. 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Mercury Morris Dolphins )
Miami Dolphins running back Jim Kiick shown Aug. 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Jim Kiick Dolphins )
Miami Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall shown Aug. 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Earl Morrall Dolphins )
Paul Warfield, wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins on Aug. 9, 1972, location unknown. (AP Photo) ( Dolphins Warfield )
Miami Dolphins guard Larry Little shown Aug. 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Larry Little Dolphins )
Receiver Karl Noonan of Miami Dolphins on August 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Karl Noonan Football Player Posing Close UP )
Miami Dolphins safety Dick Anderson shown Aug. 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Dick Anderson Dolphins )
Miami Dolphins tight end Marv Fleming shown Aug. 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Marv Fleming Dolphins )
Miami Dolphins tackler Manny Fernandez is shown August 9, 1972. (AP Photo) ( Dolphins Fernandez )
Categories: Historic, News, NFL, Sports, Syndicated, U.S. National
Tags: photo