'72 Dolphins still alone at the top

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"You knew this was coming.

"Obviously, we’re proud to still be the only undefeated team in the history of the National Football League," said Jim Kiick, a running back with the 1972 Miami Dolphins.

"We’re proud of it. Why shouldn’t we be? We never were against the New England Patriots. We have our accomplishments. We’re not comparing ourselves to anyone else from other generations."

It is an accurate statement because, for yet another year, the ’72 Dolphins have nobody with whom to compare themselves. The Patriots finished their remarkable run with an even more remarkable defeat to the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLII, leaving them with an 18-1 record, and one win shy of perfection.

"Over the years, people have been putting us down, calling us grumpy old men," said Larry Little, an offensive lineman with the ’72 team. “We never wanted to see the Patriots or any other team lose. We are just happy about our accomplishments. We’re a very proud football franchise and a very proud football team.

"Going an entire season without losing a game is a very proud accomplishment for the football team and the franchise. It goes to show you how tough it is to go undefeated through an entire season. We accomplished something no one else has done in 36 years, and we are very proud of that."

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[Awsi Dooger]

1. It was great to be in Miami tonight

My dad and I slapped hands and celebrated the final drive. He was confident; I was not.

Father Knows Best :rofl:

Then my dad asked if I thought there would be celebrations in the streets of Miami tonight. I thought he was kidding until I looked at his face.

There's certainly hoopla on Dolphin message boards.

BTW, before your thread was here I started one of my own.

My own quotes in that one. No quotes from the actual '72 players. I like my words better. Appropriately cutting and condescending.

[Scurrilous]

2. My neighborhood (Miami Lakes) was cheering.

I was too nervous to watch the final Patriot drive so I put my dog on her leash and took her for a walk around the neighborhood.

When the houses around me erupted in cheers I knew the Giants had won.

Great freakin' night for Dolphin fans everywhere.

Thank you NY Giants! :thumbsup:

[trumad]

4. I grew up in Miami Lakes---

Graduated Miami Lakes High School.

Actually went to church with Shula and his Klan back in the 70's and played baseball with Dave Shula.

[Scurrilous]

5. Small world.

:thumbsup:

I think Dave Shula is in the restaurant business with his Dad now.

[Awsi Dooger]

3. Regarding one reference I made tonight

A couple of times I wrote Great Protector. I don't want anyone to think that has some ridiculous lordly association. I'm ridiculous enough without going there.

I made up that term about 20 years ago. Refers to a team or athlete who is not allowed to win the ultimate prize if it is fundamentally flawed or decisively overrated. Like some of the recent Triple Crown failures by very good, but not great, horses, or basketball teams that abuse the 3-point shot. New England didn't abuse the pass like teams such as Texas Tech or Hawaii, but I love basic balanced defensive minded football so it always irked me that a finesse team with a flawed defense was going to be heralded as all time invincible. This does feel like the Great Protector stepped in at just the right time again. I certainly don't want the NFL to copy cat with pansy passing teams left and right.

And yes, I never expected the Pats to lose in the playoffs and posted that here. Lost money betting on the playoffs. It feels awesome.

[HuskerDU]

6. Can you imagine Jesse Owens rooting for Carl Lewis to stumble?

Heck even that asshole Bobby Knight doesn't crow about his undefeated basketball season or pop champaign when the final undefeated team loses.

Only the '72 Dolphins openly HOPE that nobody comes along to outshine 'em. The do indeed sit all alone in sports history.

[trumad]

7. Uhhh the Dolphins don't pop corks of champagne.

so cut the bullshit.

[HuskerDU]

8. Well whatever they do to celebrate somebody else losing they

should quit it. Maybe they blow up balloons and have a puppet show. Whatever it is, it's an ugly thing. 'YEAH!!!! SOMEBODY ELSE LOST!!!' :puke:

[trumad]

9. You're making up shit pal...

and quit your fucking crying....

I'm a life long Phin fan and yeah---I'm fucking delighted the Pats lost and the record is preserved.

And if you don't like it...tough fucking shit.

[HuskerDU]

10. 'I'm fucking delighted the Pats lost'

'nuff said.