When the Kansas City Chiefs fell to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, dropping their first game of the 2024 season, champagne corks popped in Miami—or at least in the home of one legendary Dolphin. Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka, a vital cog in Miami’s undefeated 1972 campaign, raised a glass to toast Kansas City’s initial stumble.
Csonka wasn’t alone in his celebration. He shared the momentous occasion with former Syracuse teammate Nick Kish, a Buffalo native and diehard Bills fan. The Dolphins icon, normally clad in aqua and orange, found himself sporting red, white, and blue for one night only.
Congrats #BuffaloBills With my Syracuse teammate Nick Kish who’s always been a #Buffalo fan. Tonight I am too
Larry Csonka via Twitter
A Legacy Unmatched
For Csonka and his fellow ’72 Dolphins, the Chiefs’ loss carried extra significance. It ensured that, for at least one more year, their undefeated season would remain the lone perfect campaign of the Super Bowl era. No NFL squad has managed to match the Dolphins’ unblemished record in the 52 years since.
That 1972 Miami team, coached by the legendary Don Shula, steamrolled through the regular season, playoffs, and Super Bowl, never tasting defeat. Csonka played an integral role, rushing for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. His punishing running style embodied the Dolphins’ grit and dominance.
Remembering Perfection
As the last unbeaten team falls each NFL season, the 1972 Dolphins reunite to commemorate their historic feat. The tradition traces back to the mid-1990s, when the team began convening to uncork a bottle of champagne the moment the final undefeated franchise suffered a loss.
Over the years, several teams have approached perfection, only to falter:
- 2007 New England Patriots (18-1, lost Super Bowl)
- 2015 Carolina Panthers (17-2, lost Super Bowl)
- 2020 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-5, lost Wild Card)
Yet the Dolphins’ flawless record has withstood the test of time. In an era of parity and evolving strategy, their undefeated season seems increasingly untouchable—a monument to football greatness.
Chiefs’ Quest Continues
For Kansas City, the loss to Buffalo stings, but their Super Bowl hopes remain very much alive. At 9-1, the Chiefs still possess the AFC’s best record and are primed for another deep postseason run.
With quarterback Patrick Mahomes at the helm and a roster brimming with talent, the Chiefs remain among the favorites to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. Yet their brush with perfection has ended, a fact one Dolphins legend couldn’t help but savor.
As the NFL season rolls on, the 1972 Dolphins’ legacy endures, their singular achievement untarnished. Larry Csonka’s toast stands as a reminder of the enormity of their feat, a gridiron gauntlet no team has managed to run in over half a century. The Chiefs may yet claim a championship, but perfection, for now, remains the domain of Dolphins.
