The 1972 Miami Dolphins are the best team in NFL history because of their play on the field, not because others say they are.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins remain the only undefeated team in NFL history. And yet, they very rarely get the respect they deserve for accomplishing such an iconic feat.
So when Larry Csonka was asked what it felt like to be named the greatest team in football, he got a bit upset and made sure the world was aware it wasn’t the suits that made them the greatest team; it was their #elite play on the field — as a team.
“They didn’t name us the greatest team, we took the [redacted] thing, that’s what happened. Tired of people telling me how they named us — they named us sh*t! We took it!”
Csonka, 77, played eight seasons with the Dolphins, leading the team to back-to-back Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973. He is often considered the best running back in the team’s history, and that’s hard to argue when you look at his accolades.
With Miami, the man known as “Sundance Kid” rushed for 6,737 yards and 53 touchdowns. In total, Csonka rushed for 8,081 yards and 64 touchdowns during his 12-year NFL career. In addition to the two Super Bowl rings he earned with the Dolphins, he was named the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl VII after his 112-yard performance. Miami also retired his No. 39 jersey and inducted him into the Ring of Honor.
When Miami’s Hall of Fame running back was asked if he was surprised the ‘72 Dolphins were named the greatest team of all time, Csonka was evident in his belief that perfection is achieving greatness as one.
“Fellas, you’re missing the whole point. It’s a team sport. When you achieve perfection there is no single entity that leads in that perspective. You don’t have the leading rusher. You might not have the leading wide receiver. You might not have the leading tackler in the game. The fact of the matter is if you concentrate more on winning than individual performance. So, when you talk about great entities in the league, those are detrimental to the winning aspect because you become one-dimensional.
He continued:
“So if you all work together and don’t let your egos get in the way — which is easy when Shula has his foot up your butt — then, then, and only then, you may obtain a perfect season.”
Unfortunately, I never witnessed the 1972 season other than what we see on the NFL Network occasionally, but I’m ready to run through a wall. And I’ll be the first to admit, at times, I may have talked down upon the ‘72 team and what they achieved #Jealous. But as Csonka said, no one did it before, and they damn sure haven’t since.
I will never say another negative thing about Csonka — and the perfect team he once played for.
Are the 1972 Miami Dolphins the greatest team in NFL history? How are you feeling about the Calais Campbell signing? Do you think a Tua Tagovailoa deal gets done before training camp? Let us know in the comments section below!