Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
1972

Miami Dolphins

"Perfection is perfection. Close? - Get a cigar. There's only one team that drinks the champagne." - Larry Csonka
Darius Rucker
by Darius Rucker

Coached by Don Shula, the 1972 Miami Dolphins went 14-0 during the regular season and swept their three playoff games to complete the only perfect season in the Super Bowl era. The Dolphins ranked first in the NFL in scoring offense (27.5 points per game) and scoring defense (12.2 per game) as well as total yards and yards allowed. Miami led in rushing yards, averaging over 211 rushing yards per game, with two 1,000-yard rushers: running back Mercury Morris, who had an NFL-best 12 rushing TDs, and fullback Larry Csonka. Six future Hall of Famers played on the Dolphins, including QB Bob Griese and WR Paul Warfield. Linebacker Nick Buoniconti led the Dolphins "No Name Defense" while defensive end Bill Stanfill and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott had Pro Bowl seasons. After their undefeated regular season, the Dolphins beat the Browns, 20-14 in the AFC Divisional Round, the Steelers, 21-17 to capture the AFC Championship, and topped the Redskins, 14-7 in Super Bowl VII.

Most Popular

Browse All Moments
Darius Rucker
Darius
Rucker
Darius Rucker is a Grammy Award-winning musician who was the lead singer and rhythm guitarist of the band, Hootie and the Blowfish. As a country artist more recently, Rucker has released several albums that have reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country albums chart. Growing up in Charleston, S.C., Rucker became a Dolphins fan at age 5 while watching the Cowboys defeat Miami on TV in Super Bowl VI. In adulthood, Rucker has performed the national anthem at Dolphin games, is friends with Dan Marino, and when he was 22 had the Dolphins logo tattooed on his hip.
Profession:
musician