The 1972 Dolphins: Where are They Now?

As the NFL season comes to a close, the 1972 MiamiLawrence claimed the number ten spot.
Dolphins breathe a sigh of relief; another year hasSince hanging up his cleats, Lawrence has been a
passed and, nearly three and a half decades later,motivational speaker, an avid outdoorsman and
they still remain the only professional football team toconservationist, a host of hunting and fishing shows, a
achieve perfection. Over the years a few teams, theGeneral Manager in the United States Football League,
Bears, the Broncos, the Colts, and the Colts yet again,and an analyst on American Gladiators. He is currently
have caused the Dolphins to sweat profusely in the pitPresident and Executive Producer of Zonk!
of their fins; these teams have come close but noProductions in Lisbon, Ohio and producer and host of a
cigar, especially not Don Shula's.nature program called NAPA's North to Alaska.
It's safe to say that all members of the 1972 DolphinsJake Scott
have since retired and moved on to other ventures.For nine seasons, Jake Scott played in the NFL with
Some remain in sports, some engage in completelythe Miami Dolphins and the Washington Redskins. He
different activities. No matter where they are andserved as a free safety and a punt returner and
what they are doing, the members of this Dolphin'smade his way to five consecutive Pro Bowls. While
team still holds a place in NFL history...at least for theplaying with the Dolphins, he had 35 interceptions over
time being. This makes us think about them,six seasons, including two in the Dolphin's Perfect
remembering how they were and wondering whatSeason Super Bowl Victory. Logging 63 return yards in
they're doing now.that game as well, Jake was named Super Bowl
Bob GrieseMVP. In the 1980's, Jake was deemed the Dolphins
An All-Star, a Pro Bowler, a six time Dolphin's MVP,All-Time Neutralizer by NFL Films . He was inducted
Bob Griese was inducted into the College Football Hallinto the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame in 1998. Currently,
of Fame in 1984 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame inJake lives in Hawaii where he is an investor.
1990. Known more for his leadership than his arm - asJim Kiick
he passed a little in some games and a lot in others -Forming a duo with Lawrence Csonka, Jim Kiick was
Bob led Miami to nine winning seasons.the other part of Miami's running game. Known, along
After retiring from football, Bob went on to support hiswith Csonka, as "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance
son Brian's collegiate and professional football careers,Kid," Kiick played in Miami from 1968 until 1974. His
stating that watching Brian win the Rose Bowl wascareer was marked by playing in three Super Bowls,
one of the greatest moments of this life. In 2000, heand racking up rushing yards. In the Dolphin's record
and Brian wrote a book called Undefeated, whichbooks, Kiick remains listed as the fourth all-time leading
discussed the Dolphin's perfect season as well as therusher.
death of Bob's first wife to breast cancer. Bob isIn later years, his football career was marked by some
presently an ABC College Football Analyst andoddities. These included Kiick and Csonka signing with
recently appeared on the game show Wheel ofthe World Football League. Kiick eventually came back
Fortune.to the NFL where he was released by the Denver
Don ShulaBroncos. As bad luck would have it, this release came
One of the most recognizable coaches in the entireon the same day that Kiick saw his marriage end and
world of sports, Don Shula began his football careerhis house burn down.
with the Cleveland Browns in 1951 as a cornerback.In 1996, Kiick was named to the University of
During his playing days, he played for the Browns, theWyoming's Sports Hall of Fame. He is now president
Baltimore Colts, and the Washington Redskins beforeof Kiick Sports Promotions, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
turning to coaching. In 1963, at the age of 33, DonHis agency books former players for special
made history by becoming the youngest person toappearances.
ever serve as a head NFL coach. This historicalNick Buoniconti
moment was only a preview of things to come.A linebacker who played for the Boston Patriots and
After coaching the Baltimore Colts from 1963-1969,the Miami Dolphins, Nick was instrumental in both play
Don was hired by the Dolphins. He remained as theirand leadership during his career. He was named to the
head coach from 1970-1995, a span of years that isAFL All-star team in 1969 and the Pro Bowl in 1972
unrivaled. Don currently holds the record for most NFLand 1973. In the latter year, he set a record by making
regular season wins with 328 and most Super Bowl's162 tackles, 91 of which were unassisted. In 2001, he
coached with six. In 1997, in a move that everyonewas named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
saw coming, Don Shula was inducted into the ProSince retirement, Nick served as President of the US
Football Hall of Fame.Tobacco Company and was a co-host on the HBO
Since retired, Don now lends his name to a chain ofseries, Inside the NFL. Over the past two decades, he
restaurants in Florida, Shula's Steakhouse. He alsohas been an instrumental figure in the Miami Project to
spends time with the Don Shula Foundation, aCure Paralysis. He began taking part in this foundation
foundation striving to find a cure for breast cancer.when his son Marc was paralyzed during a 1985
Don formed this organization in 1991 right before hiscollege football game. This foundation has since
first wife succumbed to the disease.become one of the leading neurological research
Lawrence Richard Csonkacenters in the world.
In the early 1970's, some men feared the VietnamNick is believed to be the most vocal member of the
draft, and others feared Lawrence Csonka. At 6'3,Perfect Season Miami Dolphins team. He is rumored to
235 pounds, he was a running back with the ability tolead a champagne toast each year after the lingering
run over - or through - defenders. He was also a greatundefeated team suffers its first defeat.
blocker and a great receiver, making him a triple threatUntil another team can equal an unblemished record, it's
on offense. Nominated for five Pro Bowls, Lawrencesimply bottom's up for Nick and the rest of the 1972
was All-Pro in 1971, 1972, and 1973. He was namedmembers. The other NFL franchises only hope is to
MVP of Super Bowl VIII and inducted into the Prokeep on fishing and pray that something, besides a
Football Hall of Fame in 1987. In the 1996 NFL FilmsDolphin, will bite.
production of The NFL's 100 Toughest Players,