1972 was the seventh season for the Miami Dolphins and their third in the National Football League. Don Shula, in his third year as head coach, led the team to the only “perfect season” in NFL history. Additionally, they lead the league in both scoring and defense.
In Week 5, starting quarterback Bob Griese suffered an ankle injury, forcing backup Earl Morrall to start the rest of the regular season. However, Griese replaced Morrall in the AFC Championship Game and started Super Bowl VII.
Morrall, who spent the majority of his career backing up luminaries such as Johnny Unitas and Bobby Layne, was selected the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1968 while playing for Don Shula and the Baltimore Colts. The Dolphins clinched the AFC East crown in Week 10 with quarterback Morrall at the helm.
Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris were the first teammates to carry for 1,000 yards in the same season. The team leader in receptions and receiving yards was Paul Warfield. Jim Langer and Larry Little, both future Hall of Famers, comprised the offensive line.
When did the Dolphins go undefeated?
The Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to complete an entire season unbeaten; their 1972 season concluded without a loss and culminated in a victory in Super Bowl VII.