deceased 1972 miami dolphins deceased 1972 miami dolphins

Both teams scored a field goal in the second quarter, from 49-yards and 25-yards by Jim Bakken of the Cardinals and Garo Yepremian of the Dolphins, respectively. Throughout the contest, Browns quarterback Phipps was intercepted five times by the Dolphins defense. In 2017, at the age of 71, and 37 years after his last NFL game, Little signed a ceremonial one-day contract with the Dolphins to officially retire as a member of the team. Minutes later, Houston quarterback Dan Pastorini muffed the ball in punt formation; the Dolphins recovered again and Mercury Morris scored four plays later. The Dolphins made the playoffs for the first time in 1970, and in 1971, Miami won its first playoff game after defeating Kansas City in the longest game in league history. The list is likely longer, since not all 50 men on the roster of that team have stayed in contact with the organization. [39], The Dolphins then returned home in week 10 for their second matchup against the Jets. Bottom line: A converted linebacker, Jim Langer became a starter in the 1972 season and never looked back. Morrall died in 2014 at the age of 79 due to complications from Parkinsons disease, and it was later revealed that he was suffering from the most severe form of CTE. Miami returned to the playoffs in 1971 and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in the longest game in NFL history to secure the franchise's first playoff victory. Dolphins cornerback Curtis Johnson blocked a punt by David Lee of the Colts and recovered the football at Baltimore's 22-yard line. Mike Howell, cornerback: Intercepted 23 passes in seven-plus seasons in Cleveland before coming to the Dolphins in mid-1972 and playing one game. In 2016, Stanfill had a bad fall, and complications arose, which led to his death at 69. New York responded with another touchdown, the result of an 81-yard, 12play drive which again ended with a 1-yard run by Johnson. Later, the 2007 New England Patriots also earned an undefeated and untied regular season record. [38] On the third play of the game, Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted Patriots quarterback Jim Plunkett at New England's 26-yard line. NFL experience: 11 years, all with Dolphins (1970-80). After retirement, Little coached football in the 1980s and 1990s as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman University, his alma mater, and North Carolina Central and in the World Football League for the Ohio Glory. [45] The Dolphins increased their lead further in the second quarter, with a 10-yard field goal by Yepremian and a 1-yard rush by running back Jim Kiick on a drive that spanned 89yards. TEAM DATE ROUND TM OPP . [20], A nine-play, 76-yard drive to open the second half pushed Miami further ahead. By Scott has remained out of the public eye for the most part since hanging up the cleats following the 1978 season. He chose to follow the career path of his parents and went to medical school. MIAMI, FL - NOVEMBER 12, 1972: (L to R) Quarterback Earl Morrall #15 and head coach Don Shula, of the Miami Dolphins, on the sidelines during a . [51], Near the beginning of the third quarter, Browns safety Thom Darden had a significant punt return of 38yards, which ultimately set up the drive in which Browns quarterback Mike Phipps scored a rushing touchdown. Miami increased their lead further early in the second quarter with a pair of Yepremian field goals from 17yards and 16yards. The 60-year-old spent a decade playing in the NFL and believes the constant bone-crunching challenges he suffered during his career are responsible for his declining health. Shortly thereafter, Don Shula replaced Morrall with Griese at quarterback. Bottom line: After being a two-time Pro Bowler early in his career, Jim Kiick had settled into his role as the backup running back and third-down back for the Dolphins by 1972. Four decades later, on August 20, 2013, the team was invited by President Barack Obama to visit the White House. 2022 record: 9-8 (2nd in AFC East) Home Roster Statistics Schedule Draft Splits Transactions Injuries History. [56][57] However, they occasionally had Diet Cokes together, such as in 2005 when Bob Griese and Shula watched the Chargers win over the Colts, the last undefeated team that season. Manny Fernandez, who played defensive lineman for the team, says he has had eight back surgeries as well as other operations. Heinz grew up in the Bay Area and returned there after retiring. The comments below have not been moderated, By espnpressroom.com. Fifty years ago, history was made when the Miami Dolphins completed a perfect 17-0 season by winning Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles..In its newest episode, ESPN E60 examines what made that team so good and how the undefeated season unfolded. New England responded late in the second quarter via a 36-yard pass from quarterback Jim Plunkett to wide receiver Tom Reynolds. The 1972 Dolphins became the third team in the history of the NFL to complete a regular season undefeated and untied, after the 1934 and 1942 Chicago Bears, while the 1948 Cleveland Browns achieved a 140 record as a member of the All-America Football Conference. He also served as the teams emergency punter and had four punts during the regular season, averaging 36.8 yards, just three yards fewer than the teams regular punter. New York responded with an 80-yard drive that included several short passes from Namath, before eventually ending with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by fullback John Riggins. Miami added to their lead with a 40-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian near the end of the first quarter, although their offense, ranked the best in the league for the 1972 season, otherwise remained mostly stagnant in the first half. The Dolphins led 16-0 after the first half. Denver didnt give him a chance to compete for the quarterback job in 1969, so he asked to be released. 1. (Ursula Seemann / Sun Sentinel) These 1972 Miami Dolphins who passed away will always be remembered for being part of the only. For the 50th anniversary celebration, the Dolphins wore throwback uniforms as well as patches bearing a classic Dolphins logo, the number 50, and the years 1972 and 2022. He was 30 years old. Dolphins linebacker Doug Swift intercepted Plunkett on New England's next possession. How great? [35], Later in the second quarter, Dolphins defensive back Lloyd Mumphord blocked Boris Shlapak's field goal attempt. Briscoe was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. That player then returned the fumble for Washington's only score of the game. Buoniconti died in July 2019 at the age of 78 in Bridgehampton, New York, after suffering from health problems, including dementia and CTE. Bottom line: Back when teams had two-back backfields, fullbacks were still in vogue, and Larry Csonka was the best of his era. Kiick is part of the league's $1 billion concussion settlement, which could result in a payout as high as $620,000, but the familys journey to that point has been costly in its own right. The NFL celebrated its 100th season in 2019, and through the first 100 seasons, only one team can call itself perfect. The Dolphins also caught the Vikings in the midst of a massive transformation following the return of Fran Tarkenton, missing the playoffs for the only time between 1968 and 1978, finishing 77. 16 is Zach Sieler, Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill says he received death threats after first podcast episode, Marlin Briscoe first Black starting quarterback AFL, former Dolphins WR. WEEK 3: Miami Dolphins 16, Minnesota Vikings 14 Oct. 1, 1972, at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota Fronted by the legendary Purple People Eaters defensive line, the Vikings. Briscoe was part of the Dolphins Super Bowl victories in 1972 and 1973. Garo Yepremian's subsequent extra point attempt was blocked, his first miss after seventy-five consecutive successful attempts. [23] A short Vikings punt was followed by a six-play Miami drive and a three-yard touchdown pass from Griese to Mandich to give the Dolphins a 1614 win. Miami Dolphins. He recorded another two picks in the postseason with both coming in the divisional playoffs against the Browns. [47] After Joe Orduna of the Giants returned the opening kickoff for 38yards, New York began a five play, 50-yard drive. In 2006, he said the current Dolphins "do not have a soul" after a sluggish start to the season and said then-coach Nick Saban should be impeached. On Washington's subsequent drive, Jake Scott intercepted Billy Kilmer's pass. The winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula died on Monday, May 4, 2020. The Dolphins scored a second touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall to Howard Twilley to take a 173 lead into halftime. 2022 Allen & Ginter Mel Ott Metal Mini #109 SSP #'d/3 San Francisco Giants RARE! [48], In the final week of the regular season, the Dolphins returned home for their second matchup against the Colts. Picture 1 of 1. Leader Of A Generational Defense, Zach Thomas Gets The Call To Canton. Morrall was replaced in the second half of the AFC championship game, and Griese took back the reins in the Super Bowl, but the Dolphins never would have even gotten to that point without Morrall filling in. [11] Wilson was initially resentful of the Dolphins' success, believing his firing was premature and Shula had inherited a "ready-made team. He had been hospitalized with circulation issues in his legs. The Dolphins did not allow the Patriots to score throughout the game. He was diagnosed with dementia and when his family reached out to the NFL for help, they constantly got the runaround. Briscoe led the 1972 perfect Dolphinswith four touchdown receptions and the following season, when Miami defended its Super Bowl title, he was the leading receiver on the team,catching more passes than futurePro Football Hall of FamerPaul Warfield. Miami led the league in total offense, total defense, scoring offense, and scoring defense, the only team ever to do so. Their Hall of Fame quarterback missed eight weeks in the middle of the season, yet they still remained perfect. A study by Boston University's medical department found 34 deceased NFL players had CTE, which is a degenerative brain disease that is caused by repeated hits to the head. Are any of the 1972 Dolphins still alive? Seven-time All-Pro linebacker Zach Thomas is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kuechenberg also was one of the few players from the 72 team who refused an invitation from Barack Obama to visit the White House, and he acknowledged it was due to political reasons. In those five seasons, the Dolphins reached the playoffs all five years, won three AFC Championships, two Super Bowls and went undefeated and untied while winning the Super Bowl in 1972. Leon Sandcastle Kansas City Chiefs Custom Football Card. Coach Don Shula praised Swift as "one of the smartest guys we had.". The University Interscholastic League, Texas' governing body for public high school sports, is partnering with the O'Donnell Brain Institute at UT Southwestern Medical Center for the project. Jason Jenkins, the Dolphins' senior vice president of communications and community affairs, died Saturday, the team announced at halftime of its preseason game against the Eagles. Over time, these hard impacts result in confusion, depression and eventually dementia. At the time, the announced crowd of 104,209 fans was the third-largest in NFL history, with the . Tackles were not officially tracked back then, but Buoniconti unofficially had 162 tackles, a then-team record. Mark Gastineau, a former New York Jets defensive line backer, revealed earlier this year he is suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease following his NFL career. "[4][5] 50 years later, on October 23, 2022, the 1972 Dolphins were honored at halftime during a Sunday Night Football game featuring the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers, the same matchup that occurred for the 1972 AFC Championship Game. His illness means he can no longer tie his own shoelaces or dry himself after a shower. Fleming had his best game of the season in the AFC championship game, posting 50 receiving yards, more yards than he had in his previous seven games combined. Bottom line: At 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, Bob Heinz was the biggest player on Miamis "No-Name" defense, and he helped plug the rushing lanes for the NFLs top defense. Against the Redskins in the Super Bowl, Csonka led all players with 112 rushing yards and was in the running to be named MVP until safety Jake Scott picked off his second pass of the game in the fourth quarter. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for MIAMI DOLPHINS - 50th ANNIVERSARY Of 1972 PERFECT SEASON COMMEMORATIVE TICKET at the best online prices at eBay! [24] Later, the Bills capped off a touchdown-scoring drive with a 6-yard pass from quarterback Mike Taliaferro to fullback Jim Braxton. That followed him being inducted into his high schools Hall of Fame, in Miami. He has also suffered falls, memory loss, and confusion. 1 team in NFL history. A few minutes after this transpired, Dolphins cornerback Curtis Johnson blocked a punt by Spike Jones of the Bills. [49], With the Dolphins defeating the Baltimore Colts, they finished the regular season with a perfect winloss record of 140. He went to Buffalo where, in 1970, he turned into one of the best receivers in the newly merged NFL. Murdaugh is heckled as he leaves court, Missing hiker buried under snow forces arm out to wave to helicopter, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Fleet-footed cop chases an offender riding a scooter, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Alex Murdaugh unanimously found GUILTY of murder of wife and son, Isabel Oakeshott clashes with Nick Robinson over Hancock texts, Insane moment river of rocks falls onto Malibu Canyon in CA. [68] Bob Kuechenberg, Jim Langer, and Manny Fernandez all refused to attend because of their political differences with the Obama administration. Buoniconti said he wouldn't have played football if he had known about the risks it posed to his brain health. 13 over pick in the 2019 draft. On the fifth play following the interception, Miami scored on a 14-yard pass from Morrall to wide receiver Marlin Briscoe. He tied a Super Bowl record by picking off two passes in the big game, and his 63 interception return yards also were a Super Bowl record. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, with little doubt about which team would win, Dolphins quarterback Jim Del Gazio replaced Morrall. He then became involved in Boys & Girls Clubs in California, eventually becomingdirector of a club in Watts and then Long Beach. Super Bowl VII was the first game to be televised in the market of origin under new rules that would come into effect the following season requiring games to be sold out within 72 hours of kickoff time to be aired in the market of origin (these blackout rules were lifted in 2015). Coach Don Shula also died in that timeframe (May 4, 2020). The 1972 Dolphins are STILL the only undefeated NFL team in the history of the world. Who died from the 1972 Miami Dolphins? [29] He did not play again for the remainder of the regular season; Griese was replaced by the thirty-eight-year-old Morrall until returning in the AFC Championship Game. The study published in the journal Radiology foundmeasurable brain changes in teen players after a single season of ball - even without a concussion diagnosis. Because, for the first time in a long time, the 1972 Miami Dolphins can officially pop the champagne. Even though hes in his late 70s, Fleming is still a kid at heart and even enjoys skateboarding near his home near Venice Beach, California. The '72 Dolphins are one of the most iconic teams in all of sports, and you can still hear the champagne popping whenever the final undefeated NFL team loses each season. He became a multi-millionaire from his post-football career, and his earnings dwarfed what he earned during his 11-year playing career. Dolphins running back Mercury Morris then scored a touchdown on a 4-yard rush. Tittle during a 21-year career. [40] Miami totaled 482yards, far higher than New England's 169yards. Quarterback Earl Morrall, of the Miami Dolphins, turns to hand the ball off during a game on December 23, 1972 against the San Diego Chargers at the. Bottom line: The origin of the greatest season in NFL history started with the Dolphins only loss during the calendar year of 1972. Meanwhile, the state of Texas has embarked on the largest ever study into concussions. $19.50 + $4.99 shipping. The 1972 Miami Dolphins won the AFC Eastern division and AFC championships and then defeated the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII to complete an unblemished 17-0-0 record. Since 1978, the NFL has staged 12 games in Mexico, including five regular-season matchups. 1:52 Bob Kuechenberg, a key member of the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins team, has died at age 71, the team announced Sunday morning. The story of the '72 Dolphins is consistent with that of many other players who have suffered through agonizing physical and cognitive disabilities during their retirements. Scott was Super Bowl MVP when the Dolphins went undefeated during the 1972 season and beat Washington, 14-7. His other Super Bowl appearance came in 1971, albeit ending in a Dolphins' loss to the . The former Miami back played in three Super Bowls and won two of them with the Dolphins in 1972 and 1973. With the Dolphins leading 14-0 with two minutes left in the Super Bowl, they attempted a field goal to essentially end the game. The Dolphins sacked Tarkenton five times and intercepted him three times. Twilley has battled health scares in recent years, including lymphoma, and underwent a chemotherapy program. [60], An enduring controversy is based on the argument that the 1972 Dolphins played a soft schedule not possible under the current scheduling formula. Also of note, running back Larry Csonka surpassed 1,000rushing yards on the season during this game. NFL experience: 9 years (1968-74, 1976-77), Career stats: 1,029 ATT, 3,759 YDS, 3.7 AVG, 29 TD, 233 REC, 2,302 RYDS, 4 RTD, 1972 stats: 137 ATT, 521 YDS, 3.8 AVG, 5 TD, 21 REC, 147 RYDS, 1 RTD, 1972 postseason stats: 34 ATT, 100 YDS, 2.9 AVG, 4 TD, 3 REC, 11 RYDS, 0 RTD. Related:Don Shula's Legendary Career in Photos, NFL experience: 14 years, all with Dolphins (1967-80), Career stats: 1,926 CMP, 3,429 ATT, 25,092 YDS, 192 TD, 172 INT, 77.1 RAT, 1972 stats: 53 CMP, 97 ATT, 638 YDS, 4 TD, 4 INT, 71.6 RAT, 1972 postseason stats: 11 CMP, 16 ATT, 158 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT, 95.3 RAT. However, two penalties and three failed attempts forced New York to settle for an 18-yard Bobby Howfield field goal, cutting the lead to 1710. They took their undefeated record to the Super Bowl against the Redskins. He died from the disease in 2015 at the age of 70. Fred McNeill, to confirm the diagnosis after his death. Anderson was so popular as a player that after retiring in 1978, he was immediately elected to the Senate in Florida. The Giants were unable to score after the second quarter, and thus, the game ended with a 2313 victory for the Dolphins. Of note, Morris surpassed 100rushing yards in a game for only the second time in his professional football career. 1 : Yepremian, Garo: 57 : Kolen, Mike: 11 : Del Gaizo, James: 58 : Jenkins, Alfred: 12 : Griese, Bob: 59 : Swift, Doug: 13 : Scott, Jake: 62 : Langer, Jim: 15 Bottom line: Dick Anderson always seemed to be around the ball during the 1972 season and finished second in the NFL with eight takeaways. Las mejores ofertas para 1972 Miami Dolphins DICK ANDERSON Signed 4x6 Photo FOOTBALL AUTOGRAPH 1A estn en eBay Compara precios y caractersticas de productos nuevos y usados Muchos artculos con envo gratis! 1: 2 . and Bill Stanfill, a defensive star for the team, died last fall at age 69. They also led the league in both points scored and fewest points allowed. [51], Because home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly rotation prior to the 1975 postseason, the Dolphins traveled to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game on December31 despite being undefeated. The Dolphins opened the season against the Chiefs in the first regular season game at Arrowhead Stadium. $4.99 + $4.90 shipping. The only score in the first quarter was 36-yard field goal by Miami's Garo Yepremian. He would go on to play nine seasons, including three with the Dolphins. [18] Late in the second quarter, the Dolphins scored twice in quick succession a 47-yard Garo Yepremian field goal and a two-yard Larry Csonka run following an interception by Jake Scott. Dr. David B. Ross, who heads a neurobehavioral facility in Plantation, Florida, says that Kiick 'has holes in his brain.'. The Chiefs did not score until a 40-yard field goal by Stenerud late in the third quarter, and a touchdown from Len Dawson to Willie Frazier was the only score of the fourth quarter as Miami won 2010. Miami won the game by a score of 3110. Curt Knight's subsequent field goal attempt of 32yards missed. [26] New York maintained this advantage until early in the second quarter when a 16-yard touchdown pass from Bob Griese to Howard Twilley tied the game. He became a touchdown vulture by the time the playoffs rolled around and scored four of the Dolphins seven touchdowns in the postseason. But he eventually cleaned himself up without the help of a formal rehab program. Miami fullback Larry Csonka then ran 10yards into the end zone, allowing the Dolphins to take a 1413 lead. "[64] Asked why the team had not been invited by President Richard Nixon in 1973, Larry Csonka stated that he did not feel neglected as it had not been a regular occurrence at the time. Now details are emerging about Buoniconti's teammates on that vaunted '72 Dolphins squad. 1972 Dolphins ranked as second-best team of Super Bowl era by CBS Schedule Teams AFC East Bills Jets Patriots AFC North Bengals Browns Ravens Steelers AFC South Colts Jaguars Texans Titans AFC. Two other members of the team defensive back Tim Foley and running back Hubert Ginn have also suffered from cognitive impairment, according to teammates. Lloyd Mumphord blocked a Jan Stenerud field goal attempt on Kansas City's ensuing drive. State officials hope to track brain injuries among high school sports to discover whether more needs to be done to improve player safety and protect athletes. The '72 Dolphins are one of the most iconic teams in all of sports, and you can still hear the champagne popping whenever the final undefeated NFL team loses each season. The Dolphins scored first, with a 40-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian in the first quarter. Van Herder was unable to attend the ceremony because it was harvest season, and he had crops to attend to. Bottom line: The '72 Dolphins, with backup Earl Morrall at quarterback for most of the season, were not a pass-heavy team. It's an incredibly rare thing for an NFL team to remain undefeated throughout the entirety of a season. They also scanned seven control regions - regions that tend not to be affected. The 1972 Dolphins consisted mostly of the same core of players that it possessed from 1970 through 1974 and was the most dominant NFL team during that stretch. [53] Although this narrowed the Dolphins lead to 2117, the Steelers did not score again as the Dolphins intercepted Bradshaw twice in the final minutes of the game. [32], Dolphins tackle Manny Fernandez strip-sacked Bills quarterback Dennis Shaw at the Buffalo 10-yard line on the first play of the third quarter. The Dolphins won all fourteen games of the regular season, won two playoff games, and defeated the Washington Redskins . Yepremian then tried to throw a pass, but the ball was instead caught by Washington cornerback Mike Bass, who ran the other way to cut the Dolphins lead to 147. Free shipping. [62] The Dolphins 1972 regular-season opponents posted an aggregate winning percentage of .397, and only two had winning records for that season (both the Kansas City Chiefs and New York Giants finished 86). They reached their conclusion by scanning the brains of 160 wounded war veterans after tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Washington was favored by 1-point, despite Miami entering the game undefeated and the Redskins having three regular season losses. Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com, Rise of the CANNABIS allergy: 36 million Americans are allergic to marijuana - including other people's - causing asthma, inflammation and rashes, Chance the Rapper teaches Twitter followers how to detect inflammatory breast cancer after his aunt dies of the notoriously difficult-to-spot disease, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Dozens stuck in car park as staff refuses to open gate for woman, Incredible footage of Ukrainian soldiers fighting Russians in Bakhmut, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' The 1972 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's seventh season and third in the National Football League (NFL). No reason was given why Heinz sold the ring, but it went for $68,004. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The 76-year-old former middle linebacker for the Dolphins and Patriots was diagnosed with dementia in October 2016. He reportedly lost his Super Bowl rings, both used as collateral for a loan he couldn't repay. ', Here are some common signs that point to dementia. The NFL's rules at the time forced the undefeated Dolphins (140) to play the Steelers (113) in Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game. [58], The NFL capitalized on the legend during a commercial that aired during Super Bowl LIII commemorating the 100th year of the NFL. The CDC has estimated that up to 3.8 million concussions occur in sports and recreational activities each year. With 9:18 remaining in the final period, the Dolphins scored again with a 15-yard run by Morris, amassing 106 rushing yards in the game. Csonka was born in Ohio and spent his entire college and pro career either in Miami or New York, but he had the itch to move to Alaska in retirement and lives there today. [22] Tim Foley intercepted Tarkenton early in the third quarter, setting up a 51-yard Garo Yepremian field goal. [30], The Dolphins remained at home during week 6 for a game against the intradivisional rival Buffalo Bills. A second Yepremian field goal cut Minnesota's lead to one point, but the Vikings responded with thirteen-play drive which ended in a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. The former footballer said he wants to use his high profile to help prevent younger footballers from suffering the same fate. However, four failed attempts at reaching the end zone gave the Bills possession again. [34] Miami scored in the first quarter on an 80-yard drive that included a 20-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Howard Twilley, a 32-yard rush by running back Larry Csonka, a 19-yard rush by running back Mercury Morris, and finally a 1-yard rush by Csonka for a touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Dolphins cornerback Curtis Johnson intercepted a pass from Snead, which eventually led to Yepremian kicking a 31-yard field goal. But the attempt was blocked, and Yepremian picked the ball up and tried to throw a pass instead of just falling to the ground. After retiring in 1976, Briscoe fell on hard times. The game's final score occurred in the third quarter. He became an advertising executive in Palo Alto and had kept a relatively low profile until 2015, when Heinz became the first player from the '72 Dolphins to auction away his Super Bowl ring from that year. [43] Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted St. Louis quarterback Gary Cuozzo's first pass of the game at the Cardinals' 29-yard line. Since the 1975 season, teams that have won their division and have had a superior record than their opponent (as was the case with the 1972 Dolphins when they faced the Steelers) would play their postseason games at home. Outside of that, he says he plays golf about three times a week and does word puzzles to keep his mind sharp. Briscoe was originally drafted out of Nebraska-Omaha in the 14th round of the 1968 draft by the Denver Broncos, becoming the first black starting . He put his signature on Super Bowl VII by recording a sack on the final play of the game, taking down Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer as Washington was looking to tie the game. NFL experience: 9 years (1969-74, 1976-78), Years with Dolphins: 8 years (1969-74, 1976-77). Those are seven individuals who are known to have been diagnosed with football-related illnesses. This ultimately set up a 35-yard field goal by Buffalo's John Leypoldt. Nick Buoniconti: The Decline of a Dolphins Legend | The MMQB with Peter King, Footballs toll: At least seven members of 1972 Dolphins affected by cognitive impairment, Cognitive: memory loss, mental decline, confusion in the evening hours, disorientation, inability to speak or understand, making things up, mental confusion, or inability to recognize common things, Behavioral: irritability, personality changes, restlessness, lack of restraint, or wandering and getting lost, Mood: anxiety, loneliness, mood swings, or nervousness, Psychological: depression, hallucination, or paranoia, Muscular: inability to combine muscle movements or unsteady walking. On just the fifth offensive play for the Dolphins, Morris again scored a 4-yard rushing touchdown. After the Dolphins were penalized four times on that drive (a loss of 33 yards), Garo Yepremian kicked a 54-yard field goal,[32] the longest in franchise history until Pete Stoyanovich's 59-yard field goal in 1989.