The 1972 Miami Dolphins hold a unique place in all of sports, as the only professional sports team to have completed a season unbeaten, and untied.

But their journey wasn't easy. Consider that:
  • Their starting QB got injured early in the season, and wound up missing most of the season
  • Injuries piled up. They had players in games with broken bones...
  • The punter missed some games, and Safety Dick Anderson handled the duties for a while
  • In spite of their record, they played most of their playoff games on the road (that was the way the NFL was structured - it was decided in advance and that "homefield advantage" of wins didn't come until later)
  • They needed an extreme amount of luck, coupled with players who did a big something (like a blocked punt or field goal, a key sack, or even drawing a penalty)
  • But in the end, good coaching had a lot to do with it. Bum Phillips once said of Shula "He can't beat you with his 'un, and then turn around and beat you with your 'un against his'un"


    • Now that we're coming around on 55 years since this accomplishment, I thought it was worth finding out more about the team and the small coaching staff. This page is dedicated to the memory

    I have no doubt the team that has shuffled off this mortal coil feast among the football gods and are revered for their glorious past.

    This list was last updated Sept 8, 2026.
    Name
           		 Number
         		 Position
           		 Age 
         		 Current Residence
           		 Notes
    Jim Del Gaizo Del Gaizo 11 Quarterback 79 Plantation, FL (2026) In that '72 season, he did complete a few passes as the backup, but he was cut after the season, and bounced around the league. He came back to the Dolphins in 1976, played well in the preseason, but didn't make the roster.
    Bob Griese Griese 12 Quarterback 81 Jupiter, FL (2026) Famously wore glasses during his playing days.

    Missed most of the '72 season with a broken ankle, but came back for the championship run.

    Hall of Fame
    Larry Seiple Seiple 20 Punter / Tight End 81 The Villages, FL (2026) Always a rushing threat, Seiple sometimes took off instead of punting. He did that in a 1972 playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in which he ran for a 37-yard gain, keeping a drive alive. And oh by the way, the coaches did not call that play.
    Lloyd Mumphord Mumphord 26 Cornerback 79 Lafayette, LA (2026) A good defensive back, but he holds NFL records for punt and kick blocks in a season and a career.
    Ed Jenkins JenkinsE 28 Running Back 76 Boston, MA (2026) Was on the taxi squad in 1972

    Graduated law school
    Larry Csonka Csonka 39 Running Back 79 Unknown, NC (2026) Hall of Fame

    Superbowl VIII MVP (1973 season)

    Coach Monte Clark said of him "When Csonka goes on safari, the lions roll up their windows."
    Dick Anderson Anderson 40 Safety 80 Miami, FL (2026) Finished his career with 34 interceptions (second behind Jake Scott, with 35)
    Paul Warfield Warfield 42 Wide Receiver 83 Unknown, CA (2026) Hall of Fame

    He, Csonka, and Kiick defected to the World Football League in 1974, ending Miami's run
    Curtis Johnson Johnson 45 Cornerback 78 Detroit, MI (2026) Has the unique distinction of being the only football player in history to play for an undefeated college and undefeated NFL team
    Henry Stuckey Stuckey 48 Cornerback 76 Unknown, NJ (2026) Spent the season on the taxi squad.

    He has some form of CTE that has affected him in life after football
    Charlie Babb Babb 49 Safety 76 Naples, FL (2026) Blocked a punt in the playoff game against Cleveland, and returned it for a TD. That was a critical play in the game.
    Larry Ball Ball 51 Linebacker 77 Miami, FL (2026) After leaving football, he spent 30 years working for Dade County schools, doing good in his community.
    Howard Kindig Kindig 54 Offensive Line 85 Houston, TX (2026) Was the long snapper, and he managed to draw an intentional penalty against the Redskins in the SuperBowl at a critical time in the game
    Doug Swift Swift 59 Linebacker 78 Miami, FL (2026) Went on to become an anestheseologist and spent many years in that role.
    Al Jenkins JenkinsA 60 Guard 80 New Orleans, LA (2026) He is the player pictured carrying Shula off the field after SuperBowl win (see Shula's pic below), and he is included in the statue of Shula at the stadium
    Maulty Moore MooreM 65 Defensive Tackle 80 Unknown, FL (2026) Blocked a field goal against the Steelers in the playoffs.
    Larry Little Little 66 Guard 80 Daytona, FL (2026) Hall of Fame

    One of the best pulling guards ever to play, he opened holes for Miami's vaunted rushing attack
    Jim Riley Riley 70 Defensive End 81 unknown, Texas (2026) Injured during the preaseson and never played
    Bob Heinz Heinz 72 Defensive Tackle 79 Fresno, CA (2026) Worked in advertising after his playing career
    Norm Evans Evans 73 Offensive Tackle 84 Seattle, WA (2026) In 2007, he was named to the Dolphins All-Time Team, after having played in three Super Bowls
    Doug Crusan Crusan 77 Offensive Tackle 80 Indianapolis, IN (2026) Started at left tackle in three consecutive SuperBowls for the Dolphins
    Marv Fleming Fleming 80 Tight End 84 Marina del Ray, CA (2026) Played in 5 SuperBowls, I & II with the Packers, and then VI, VII, and VIII for the Dolphins
    Otto Stowe Stowe 82 Wide Receiver 77 Santa Barbara, CA (2026) Was the backup to Paul Warfield in the Flanker position; he only had 13 catches in 1972.
    Vern Den Herder Denherder 83 Defensive End 77 Sioux City, IA (2026) His unofficial total of 64 1/2 sacks ranks fourth on the Dolphins sack list. He had several games after 1972 where he had 4+ sacks.
    Karl Noonan Noonan 89 Wide Receiver / Place kick holder 82 Denver, CO (2026) Noonan was injured during the 1972 preseason and never played for the team that season. But he did serve as an assistant coach of sorts.
    Fun fact: He negotiated a contract that would ensure he could not be cut during the preseason.
    Wayne Moore MooreW 79 Offensive Tackle 44 *Deceased, 1989 (Miami, FL) Was the first member of the team to die; he had a heart attack while working out
    Bob Matheson Matheson 53 Linebacker 49 *Deceased, 1994 (Durham, NC) Coach Bill Arnsparger built a defense around him called "the 53"
    Billy Lothridge Lothridge 7 Defensive Back / Punter 54 *Deceased, 1996 (Pensacola, FL) He was signed in November as a punter (Larry Seiple was injured) Played two games, but was then moved to the taxi squad. Safety Dick Anderson took over punting for a while.
    Charlie Leigh Leigh 23 Running Back 60 *Deceased, 2006 (Albany, NY) returned 22 punts for 210 yards and a 9.5-yard average
    Jim Mandich Mandich 88 Tight End 62 *Deceased, 2011 (Miami Lakes, FL) "Mad Dog"
    Went on to have a successful broadcasting career as the color analyst for the team
    Jesse Powell Powell 56 Linebacker 65 *Deceased, 2012 (Lubbock, TX) Spent 35 years as an insurance agent after he retired
    Earl Morrall Morrall 15 Quarterback 79 *Deceased, 2014 (Naples, FL) There's a story about his career. It is a bit of a "curious tale"
    Garo Yepremian Yepremian 1 Kicker 70 *Deceased, 2015 (Medla, PA) What's not to love about that football card? Its so *EVERYTHING*
    Mike Howell Howell 43 Safety 73 *Deceased, 2016 (Monroe, LA) Although he was regarded as a good college QB, he decided to switch to defensive back, because he felt the color of his skin would be a problem and he wouldn't make it as a QB
    Bill Stanfill Stanfill 84 Defensive End 69 *Deceased, 2016 (Albany, GA) "He was everything you'd want in a defensive tackle. He combined speed, size, range, quickness and competitiveness to make him one of the greatest linemen to ever play the game" - Georgia coach, Vince Dooley

    He held the (unofficial) sack total until Jason Taylor beat him (officially)
    Jim Dunaway Dunaway 78 Defensive Tackle 76 *Deceased, 2018 (Colombia, MS) Outside of football, he was charged with the death of his wife, but was never convicted. His children still filed a wrongful death lawsuit, which they won.
    Jim Langer Langer 62 Center 71 *Deceased, 2019 (Coon Rapids, MN) Hall of Fame
    Bob Keunchenberg Keuchenberg 67 Guard 71 *Deceased, 2019 (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) Multi-time finalist for the HOF
    Nick Buoniconti Buoniconti 85 Linebacker 78 *Deceased, 2019 (Bridgehampton, NY) Hall of Fame,
    graduated law school
    Jake Scott Scott 13 Safety 75 *Deceased, 2020 (Atlanta, GA) Superbowl VII MVP,
    Had an argument with Don Shula about a late-careeer trade, moved to Hawaii, and stayed away from the Dolphins for nearly 30 years

    Fun fact: he broke both wrists during the season and realized he had a big problem when he had to use the bathroom. He famously quipped that you learn who your friends really are.
    Jim Kiick Kiick 21 Running Back 73 *Deceased, 2020 (Plantation, FL) He and Csonka were known as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid"
    Marlin Briscoe Briscoe 86 Wide Receiver 76 *Deceased, 2022 (Norwalk, CA) Though he was a receiver in Miami, he was the first African-American QB to play pro football
    Tim Foley Foley 25 Cornerback 76 *Deceased, 2023 (St Augustine, FL) Went on to a succesful broadcast career in college football, and was an Amway ambassador.
    Hubert Ginn Ginn 32 Running Back 76 *Deceased, 2023 (Myrtle Beach, SC) Ginn served as the backup running back during the team's magical 17-0 season
    Mike Kadish Kadish 68 Guard 72 *Deceased, 2023 (Bradenton, FL) Stayed on the taxi squad in 1972, but eventually went to the Bills where he was part of the "Electric Company"
    Mercury Morris Morris 22 Running Back 77 *Deceased, 2024 (Palm Beach, FL) Convicted of trafficking in cocaine soon after his career ended. Reformed and became the spokesman for the undefeated team
    Mike Kolen Kolen 57 Linebacker 76 *Deceased, 2024 (Auburn, AL) "Captain Crunch"
    Howard Twilley Twilley 81 Wide Receiver 81 *Deceased, 2025 (Dallas, TX) Went on to be a succesful business man, including owning several sporting goods stores
    Manny Fernandez Fernandez 75 Defensive Tackle 80 *Deceased, 2026 (Ellaville, GA) Should have been the Superbowl VII MVP, but just missed out


    Name
    		 Role Life Span Notes
    Joe Robbie Owner 1916-1990 He was a shrewd businessman who built the team, traded for Shula, and ultimately built the stadium they play in today
    Don Shula Head Coach 1954-2018 Winningest coach in the NFL

    Hall of Fame
    Bill Arnsparger Head Defensive Coach / Linebackers (Defensive Coordinator) 1926-2015 Architect of the No Name Defense
    Howard Schnellenberger Head Offensive Coach / Receivers (Offensive Coordinator) 1934-2021 Helped the offense to get two 1,000 yard rushers, and overcame the loss of Griese during the season.

    Went on to coach the University of Miami to its first national championship
    Monte Clark Offensive Line Coach 1937-2009 Hired after a phone interview. He built what many consider one of the best offensive lines in NFL history,
    Tom Keane Defensive Backfield Coach 1926-2001 Helped the no name defense be stalwarts against the pass; they allowed 10 TDs over 14 games, and only two in the playoffs. And Jake Scott won the Superbowl MVP.
    Mike "Mo" Scarry Defensive Line Coach 1920-2012 He was there for all 5 of Miami's superbowls, and was instrumental in building aggressive defensive lines.
    Carl Taseff Offensive Backfield Coach 1928-2005 He and Shula attended John Carroll University, and played together with the Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Colts.

    "I always had great respect for Carl as a player and a coach and the special relationship with him as a friend. He was a very dedicated and goal-oriented person. He only knew one way to play and one way to coach. And that was to win." -- Shula
    Bobbie Beathard Director of player personnel 1937-2023 He worked with Shula to construct the roster. He went on to conintued success around the NFL
    Bob Lundy Trainer 1936 - 2024
    Stan Taylor Assistant Trainer ?
    Dan Dowe Equipment Manager 1925-1997
    Jim Cheever Assistant Equipment Manager 1954-2018

    A word about the legend of the team popping champagne when the last team falls: a few of the players lived in the same neighborhood in west Miami in the 1980s. They were friends, and a few would hoist a pint to celebrate their success, and remember their accomplishment during the ensuing football seasons. Then, sometime in the early 90s one of the news outlets seized on that idea and took pictures of them celebrating after the last team fell - even if it was mildly staged. And a legend was born. They were always proud of their success, but also knew there was some amount of luck involved. And while they would welcome another team to their ranks, they always enjoyed being special.