Undefeated: Inside the 1972 Miami Dolphins’ Perfect Season

by Mike Freeman

“[Freeman is] an excellent storyteller.”
—Sports Illustrated

The 1972 Miami Dolphins, under the expert leadership of legendary coach Don Shula, remain to this day the only team in the National Football League ever to enjoy a perfect season with no defeats and no ties. Now, 40 years after sports history was made, acclaimed sports writer Mike Freeman celebrates the Dolphins’ singular achievement in Undefeated. A riveting story filled with heartbreaking injuries, miraculous finishes, and tested relationships—featuring a roster of gridiron greats, including Bob Griese, Earl Morrall, Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Mercury Morris, Nick Buoniconti and others—Undefeated follows a underdog team on its remarkable run: 14 regular season victories, 2 postseason wins, and a Super Bowl championship. It is a book no football fan will want to miss. 

Genres: Football, Sports, Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Paperback

First published August 21, 2012

About the author

Mike Freeman is an NFL Insider for CBSSports.com. Before that, he was an NFL writer, investigative reporter, and columnist for the New York Times; a columnist for the Florida Times-Union; and a sports reporter, features writer, and investigative writer for the Washington Post, Boston Globe, and Dallas Morning News.

Reviews

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only one team has completed an entire NFL season, including playoffs, undefeated since the 1970 merger between the NFL and AFL. That team, the 1972 Miami Dolphins, is the subject of this interesting book by Mike Freeman.

Just about everything and everybody associated with the Dolphins during that historic season is covered in the book. Whether a reader wants to learn about the penny-pinching ways of owner Joe Robbie, the brilliance of general manager Joe Thomas in putting the team together (he was fired before the season ended by Robbie), the intensity of head coach Don Shula or more about many of the star players on that team, there is excellent material about these topics.

The players’ stories are some of the best in the book. Two of them who played key roles in the success of the 1972 Dolphins were running back Mercury Morris and defensive lineman Manny Fernandez. These two were chosen to be mentioned in this review because the combination of their stories on how they became key components to the undefeated season combined with their interesting personal stories make for excellent reading. Of course, this isn’t to shortchange other players highlighted such as Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield, Bob Griese, Jake Scott and so many others. Morris and Fernandez are merely two examples of the players who are portrayed in a complete manner in this book.

Of course, the actual game on the field plays an important role in the book. However, this is not a simple recap of each game, rehashing of important plays or wins, nor does it follow a chronological, orderly history lesson about the season. Instead, everything that played a factor in the team’s historic run was mentioned. That begins with in the locker room after Super Bowl VI, a crushing loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Shula tells the team they will be back to the big game with a different result. The journey ends with Miami proving their coach right by ending a perfect 17-0 season by defeating the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. That game is the one that is described with the most detail. Even if a reader knows little else about the game, team or season, he or she will get a good sense of just how dominant this Dolphins team was in the game and over the entire year.

Every year the surviving members of this team celebrate whenever the last unbeaten NFL team loses its first game of the season. They have good reason to do so, and readers who want to learn more about this special team should add this book to their libraries to find out why they have been celebrating for over 45 years.

https://sportsbookguy.blogspot.com/20...

[Thomas Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a native Floridian, former Miami resident, and lifelong Dolphin fan, there is hardly no way I could'nt not like this book. The book has some great quotes and stories about players and more or less flows with the story of the team and the way it was built. There is also some very light back story on the situation in the City of Miami itself during 1968-1975 time frame.

My only problem with the book--and one noted by other reviewers--is the drifting narrative and tone of the writer. At times, the author will introduce a thesis, but fail to deliver on the reasoning to back up his conclusion. At other times, the author--needlessly, in my opinion--interjected a writing voice that was overly familiar and informal, which distracted me as a reader.

But, overall, this book is a must-have addition for Dolphin fans, and in light of the last 14 years or so of Dolphin performances on the field, a welcome respite from current Dolphin teams. The book does offer new and welcome insights and stories from that glorious 1972 season and the early 70's Dolphin years in general.

[Ryan Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If your a dolphins fan then this is a great and interesting read of there glory days. There are great stories and insights on the team's dynamics and why they were so great.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this along with Bob Griese's tome also reflecting on the '72 team. I think this was a better book as it went more in depth on the team (from an outsider also) and I didn't have to read about how great Griese thinks he is as much.

Some very good background stories on most of the players, pre-Dolphins and some post-Dolphins. Also, there are some great old time quotes in this book (quotes were so much better back then). The game was different but the NFL was starting to become the big American pastime that it eventually did (especially in the 80's).

Anyway, the book is well researched and the author does a good job of intertwining the stories and it's fun to read about the old players like Csonka, Morris, Little, Buoniconti etc... He talked to a lot of them recently and their memories on that team and era are clear.

The 1972 Miami Dolphins are still the only team to go undefeated and untied throughout a season and win the Super Bowl. This book shows how they did it and why, changing a lot of how football is played on the field and off of it also (I have a higher regard for Don Shula after reading this book).

NFL fans should enjoy this book very much.

[Jesse Bradstreet · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/10

This is pretty much my first sports book, and what better place to start than one of the greatest sports teams of all time? Plus I'm a Dolphins fan who wanted to immerse myself in a bit of the history. This is pretty standard biography fare, but it's a great true story, told well, despite some deliberate corniness by author Mike Freeman. Freeman argues the point by the end that not only was this team great, it's constantly disrespected for some reason--that definitely resonates with me. Good freakin' book.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I started getting interested in football when I was around ten, primarily following in the footsteps of my Mom, who was an avid fan of the Baltimore Colts (until they moved to Indianapolis and she shifted her allegiance to Denver), I became a loyal and still-faithful follower of the Los Angeles Rams (even, reluctantly, when they were located in St. Louis). 1972 was also the end of my football-playing years (though I tried mightily several times to let me play again in high school, to no avail). I've liked other teams (such as the Buccaneers) and my blood truly runs garnet with my love for the South Carolina Gamecocks. That all being said, the first Super Bowl that I remember watching (with my Mom) was the Miami win capping their perfect season. Of course, they're fans have suffered a lot of pain since. Living in Tampa at the time, I got a good dose of Dolphins ball and I knew just about all of the players mentioned in this account, and was familiar even with some of their games. But it was still interesting digging a little deeper into their year (as well as other parts of their past and personnel). The presentation here was a bit odd though, seemingly bouncing all over the place. I felt as if the games were quickly glossed over, as if Freeman was in a hurry. Not that his writing was bad or anything. I did like that he explored a bit of the cultural and historical aspects of (especially) racism in Miami, as well as other destructive elements (drugs, for instance), which sometimes sports writers are want to do. I wonder how younger readers, should they even pick this volume up, will react to the strife and unfairness of the time. Maybe it will broaden their interests. Ina way, the books had a kind of old fashionedness to it. Still, overall, I liked it.

[Billy Hogan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first time I ever saw the Miami Dolphins was on January 2, 1971, when I was 11 years old. They beat the Baltimore Colts 21-0, including a pick 6 that included about eight blocks to clear the way for defensive back Dick Anderson to score. My first full year as both a Dolphin fan and follower of the NFL from the beginning of the season to the Super Bowl was the 1972 season, which was a magical year to be a Dolphins fan. This book goes in depth into Dolphins' history and all of the players, coaches, and front office personnel who made NFL history that year. We learn the backgrounds of some of the key people on that team, from Coach Shula's start playing football in high school, through his brief pro career as a player, to his development as a Hall of Fame coach. This book is a must read for anyone interested in football history, and Miami Dolphin fans in particular.

[Tim Blackburn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the book. The only issue I have is the author, while clearly doing his research as evidenced by his statement that he collected over 12,000 pages of material, was the inclusion of only peripherally relevant material. Two quick examples: 1) a several hundred word segue on the Raiders Gene Upshaw and Art Still. Interesting but not germane to the chapter in which it's included. 2) the afterwords inclusion of several pages describing a Latino drug war in Miami several years after years undefeated season. Again why? Good book but too ambitious in scope.

[Christopher Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read if you are a Dolphins fan. Especially when you read such negative stories about the players that has been created by a bunch of never been there reporters. So many great stories about each player. How educated they all were. How unselfish they all were. How dedicated to a single cause they all were. And how rarely any of them complained about their roles.
This is an era long gone that we will never see again. When the author brakes down the numbers on what these men accomplished it really speaks volumes of what this team achieved that NO OTHER team has done since.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely fantastic book. It is exactly what I was looking for in terms of story, research and style. Mike Freeman has instantly become one of my favourite authors and I highly recommend this book to any football fans out there. His depth of research and interviewing for his book is incredible. If I could give this more than 5/5, I would!

[David Cordero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fine storytelling as Mike Freeman takes you behind the scenes of the 1972 Dolphins — still the only undefeated team in NFL history. From the personalities to the sacrifices and the lead up to the Super Bowl game, Freeman makes you feel as if you were beside Don Shula, Mercury Morris, Jake Scott, Larry Csonka, Nick Buoniconti and Manny Fernandez.

Wholeheartedly recommend!

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed Book Thoroughly

I was 7 years old when the Dolphins went undefeated. I am not a Dolphins fan but I thought the book was very comprehensive and it was very entertaining read for any football fan of the 1970s.

[David Barney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful stories about the 72, 73, and 74 Dolphins. I was a young boy when these teams were dominating the NFL. The author does a good job drawing out these stories and how these teams worked to achieve greatness.

[David Bowers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book about the Miami Dolphins

This book brought back a lot of memories For me. Larry Csonka was my first football hero as a boy. The grace of Paul Warfield. The presicion passing of Bob Griese. The brilliant Don Shula as the Head Coach. The 53 defense

[James Harden needs his pizza rolls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good. I recommend this book.

[Brian Depaola · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the reasons I always feel I was born 10 years to late.

[Rm36]

Justice for Garo Yepremian. B+.

[Dave Cottenie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent look at the only perfect team in NFL history. The analysis of what made them successful is insightful and the emergence of the team’s true star is surprising for those not entrenched in the Dolphins of the seventies.

[Gary Laird · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic to read all about the legendary undefeated Miami Dolphins team of 1972. I loved reading more about some of the key players of this incredible team and the stories behind them. I also loved reading more about arguably the NFL's greatest ever coach, the irrepressible Don Shula. The interesting background story about Miami and it's racial problems during this time added even more interest to the book and is still relevant today unfortunately!☹️

[Tom Gase · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding book on the 1972 Miami Dolphins season in which the Dolphins went 17-0, the only time a football team has ended the season "Undefeated." Mike Freeman, who also wrote a good book on Jim Brown, does a great job with his research and gets the book moving quickly. Aside from a few stories that tells how Don Shula grew up, or what Mercury Morris did before joining the Dolphins, the book stays to the point with the 1972 season and has at least a page or so on every game. It discusses at length the playoff games more than the regular season games, which was also nice. I learned a lot of things from this book, for example that Earl Morrall was the QB for most of the season, and not Bob Griese. I also learned about players such as Jake Scott, Larry Czonka and Paul Warfield a little more. A great read for any NFL fan and a must read for any fan of the NFL in the 1970s or a Miami Dolphin fan.

[Mike Seiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book as I have not read much about football, or any sport really, set during the 1970s. It was interesting thinking of how much issues the players had during this time dealing with race, money, and making a team. I admit to not knowing a whole lot about the Dolphins ahead of this book but felt I knew them much better. The only thing keeping this from a 5 star review is that I wish it had more discussion of the games during the seasons. Sometimes, the discussion would be limited to a mention of what the player that was being discussed in that chapter did in that game and then the score. The Super Bowl had a little more but it was still more behind the scenes and what went on between games or offseason to get the team where they were in 1972. I still recommend though reading.

[Jacob Edmond · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 1972 Dolphins went 14–0 in the regular season and won all three postseason games, including Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins, to finish 17–0. The team remains the only NFL team to complete an entire season undefeated and untied from the opening game through the Super Bowl.

 Undefeated explores the Miami Dolphins' legendary 1972 season, the only perfect season in NFL history, and the journey to the championship—a story of heartbreaking injuries, miraculous finishes, and tested relationships.

The book uses these elements by showing the reader inside some of the players head and inside the coaches head. In conclusion I really liked this book and it gave some good information and I liked how much detail it had.

[Ana Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVE this book because I'm a huge dolphin fan. I was a little 8 year old during the perfect season , so I learned a great deal about the team, and Coach Shula. I was surprised of the segregation and racism going on in the NFL at the time. Was so happy to see how Coach Shula did not permit that and worked to fight against segregating the players . Football was a different game back them some players had second jobs because they weren't paid enough, it was also a much more dangerous game. Great read about the perfect season, but also a good history lesson on the game of football

[Robert Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not a technical football book. It delved into the management style of Don Shula, the civil rights issues of south Florida, and how the NFL has changed since the 70s when players made $20k a year and had several side jobs.
This also isn't a tell-all with shocking stories about drugs and sex in the NFL, if anything it underplays that aspect.
A good read if you want to know who Don Shula is, how he conveyed the worst football team in the country into one of the greatest teams of all time.

[patrick Lorelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book for anyone who likes football. I remember wacthing this team going to three straight super bowls and winning two with the perfect record. Really know one talks about them but they were a great team. I am a Packer fan have been my whole life but I also like football and to do it at that level was and is fantastic. The authour talks about the different players good and bad and the team in general. A good sports story. Hope more people read this book.

[Avi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't speak for anyone who isn't a life long dolphins fan, but for me it's a must read that I'm glad I stumbled into. It must have been great to see them win like that.

Even for myself who grew up following the Dolphins in the mid eighties, it never took a rocket scientist to know that Shula was a great coach. This book gives you a clue about just how great a football coach he actually was.

[LBK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this retelling of the 1972 Dolphin and their undefeated run. Not just a look at the team itself but the elements that went into it: Shula's fear of losing another Super Bowl, players' attitudes, and the impact of the media. I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves the Dolphins or a great football story.

[Ryan Erickson-Kulas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was terrible. It was extremely poorly written. The narrative was written all over the place. The author had a big idea of looking at the social landscape of Miami during that time but didn't have the research or skills to execute. I am a huge Dolphins fan and this book was hugely disappointing.

[Paul Carr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good not great book about the 1972 Dolphins. Quotes and stories, particularly about Shula, never get old. Book effectively captures how he shaped that team. Frequently sloppy though, from odd style choices to rabbit trails that derail the momentum. Author was clearly passionate about the subject, and was jamming things in haphazardly simply to get them in.

[Kimberly S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.75

A fun read for football history fans spotlighting all of the characters on the undefeated '72 dolphins. Humorous at times, sometimes with a little too much pro-Miami bias, but a fun glimpse into what football was like in the 70s before the NFL/AFL merger, with some perspective into the trouble of NFL's race relations.