Pro Football Hall of Famer Larry Csonka celebrated the Minnesota Vikings' first loss of the season, ensuring the 1972 Miami Dolphins retain their status as the only team in NFL history to complete a perfect season. The Vikings' defeat preserves the Dolphins' 17-0 record from 52 years ago as the league's lone undefeated and untied campaign.
Csonka, the bruising fullback who powered Miami's championship run, has long served as the most visible guardian of the 1972 team's legacy. Each year when the final unbeaten team falls, the Dolphins' accomplishment stands alone for another season.
The 1972 Dolphins capped their perfect season with a 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. No team has matched the feat since, though the 2007 New England Patriots reached 18-0 before losing Super Bowl XLII.
