The 1972 Miami Dolphins are one of the most famous teams in NFL history, as they remain the only team to complete a perfect undefeated season culminating in a Super Bowl victory. Sadly, over the past 50 years since their historic achievement, many members of that legendary squad have passed away.
Overview of the 1972 Dolphins
The 1972 Dolphins were led by head coach Don Shula and featured several future Hall of Famers such as quarterback Bob Griese, receiver Paul Warfield, center Jim Langer, linebacker Nick Buoniconti, and guard Larry Little. They went 14-0 during the regular season, including a milestone victory in week 5 where they topped the Minnesota Vikings 16-14 which marked the first time an NFL team had started a season 5-0 since the league expanded its regular season schedule to 14 games in 1961. The Dolphins continued their undefeated ways in the playoffs, notching victories over the Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers to reach Super Bowl VII.
In the Super Bowl, they faced the Washington Redskins and ended up winning 14-7 to complete their perfect 17-0 season. To this day, no other team has matched this feat of an undefeated season with a championship.
Dolphins Players Who Have Passed Away
Unfortunately, being it’s been 50 years since that memorable undefeated campaign, many key members of the team have passed away over the years. Here is a look at some of the notable players from the ’72 Dolphins who are no longer with us:
| Player | Position | Years Played for Dolphins | Age at Death | Year of Death |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dick Anderson | Safety | 1968-1977 | 72 | 2018 |
| Nick Buoniconti | Linebacker | 1969-1974, 1976 | 78 | 2019 |
| Larry Csonka | Fullback | 1968-1974, 1979 | 64 | 2005 |
| Jim Kiick | Running Back | 1968-1974 | 73 | 2020 |
| Jake Scott | Safety | 1970-1975 | 75 | 2020 |
| Bill Stanfill | Defensive End | 1969-1976 | 69 | 2016 |
| Dwight Stephenson | Center | 1980-1987 | 48 | 1998 |
| Mike Kolen | Linebacker | 1970-1975 | 73 | 2022 |
As the table shows, many key contributors from the 1972 Dolphins have passed on in recent years. Safety Dick Anderson, linebacker Nick Buoniconti, running back Jim Kiick, and safety Jake Scott have all died just within the past 5 years. Other notable losses include legendary fullback Larry Csonka, defensive end Bill Stanfill, and center Dwight Stephenson.
Details on Some of the Notable Deaths
Here is some more background on a few of the impactful deaths from the 1972 Dolphins roster:
Nick Buoniconti
Buoniconti was a leader of the Dolphins defense throughout the late 60s and early 70s. He helped form the famous “No Name Defense” and served as a captain. Buoniconti passed away in July 2019 at the age of 78 due to complications from dementia.
Jake Scott
Scott was the Dolphins’ starting free safety and had a spectacular season in 1972, recording 5 interceptions during the regular season and 2 more during the playoffs. He was named Super Bowl MVP for his performance in the big game. Scott passed away in June 2020 at 75 years old.
Jim Kiick
Kiick formed a legendary backfield duo with Mercury Morris in Miami. While Morris was the speedster, Kiick provided the power and pass blocking. He scored a touchdown in the Dolphins’ Super Bowl VII victory. Kiick died at age 73 in June 2020 due to complications from dementia.
Dwight Stephenson
While Stephenson wasn’t on the 1972 team, he was a star center for the Dolphins later in the 70s and 80s. He was a 4-time First-team All-Pro selection before his career was cut short due to a devastating knee injury. Stephenson died in 1998 at just 48 years old from complications during a knee replacement surgery.
Other Notable Team Figures Now Deceased
In addition to players from the 1972 roster, other key figures from the Dolphins perfect season team have passed away over the years:
- Don Shula – Head Coach – Died in 2020 at age 90
- Howard Schnellenberger – Offensive Coordinator – Died in 2011 at age 87
- Moses Denson – Offensive Line Coach – Died in 2022 at age 90
- Bill Arnsparger – Defensive Coordinator – Died in 2015 at age 88
Don Shula, the legendary Hall of Fame head coach who guided the team during their undefeated campaign, lived until age 90 before passing away in May 2020. He remained the winningest head coach in NFL history at the time of his death.
Offensive coordinator Howard Schnellenberger and defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger were instrumental assistants on Shula’s staff that season. OL coach Moses Denson was also a key part of the Dolphins coaching staff for multiple years.
Are Any Players Still Alive?
While time has taken many of the 1972 Dolphins over the past five decades, some key contributors are still alive today. This includes:
- Bob Griese – Quarterback
- Larry Little – Guard
- Jim Langer – Center
- Bob Kuechenberg – Guard
- Manny Fernandez – Defensive Tackle
- Earl Morrall – Quarterback
- Marlin Briscoe – Wide Receiver
Hall of Famers Bob Griese, Larry Little, and Jim Langer are still around today to reminisce about their perfect season. Guard Bob Kuechenberg and defensive tackle Manny Fernandez were also starters who remain alive.
Backup QB Earl Morrall played a key role filling in for the injured Griese during the season. WR Marlin Briscoe was on that 1972 squad as well.
Ongoing Connections through the 1972 Dolphins Alumni Group
Many members of the ’72 Dolphins have stayed in touch over the years through their alumni group. The organization brings the remaining players together annually and preserves the memory of their historic perfect season.
A few years ago, the alumni group announced they would no longer be doing their yearly champagne toast when the final undefeated team lost each season. This longtime ritual had become controversial, but nevertheless showed the pride and bonding of that Dolphins team.
The 50th anniversary of their Super Bowl title will arrive in 2022. It’s likely the alumni group will organize reunions and other events to commemorate the milestone.
Conclusion
Looking back at the 1972 Miami Dolphins, it’s clear that many key members of that storied undefeated team have passed away in recent years. From head coach Don Shula to players like Nick Buoniconti, Jim Kiick, and Jake Scott, time has taken its toll on that legendary group.
The losses of those players is a reminder of their mortality, but also a testament to just how special that Dolphins squad was to put together a perfect season that no NFL team has matched since. They will forever be remembered in football lore for their incredible feat.
While their numbers dwindle with each passing year, some living contributors continue keeping their story alive through the alumni group. The 1972 Dolphins created something unique and timeless that will persist beyond the lives of any individual members.