Larry Csonka stands out for many reasons. A Hall of Famer, he was part of the legendary 1972 Miami Dolphins squad that went undefeated. Known as one of the toughest players in NFL history, Csonka has transformed from a celebrated athlete into a symbol of the league’s rich tradition.

The legacy of Csonka’s unbeaten team remains intact, especially after Kansas City’s recent loss to Buffalo on November 17. Those Dolphins are still the only team in Super Bowl history to finish both the regular season and playoffs without a single defeat.

When Kansas City stumbled, Csonka shared a photo of himself reveling in the ongoing legacy of that team. His intention isn’t to boast but to ensure that people remember the excellence of that Dolphins squad and the era of football it represented.

And you know what? I appreciate his efforts. We all require reminders of our history. We must acknowledge those who forged the league we follow and enjoy today. Sometimes, they fade from our memories. Some fans mistakenly think the NFL began with Tom Brady; it certainly did not.

Csonka believes the Dolphins’ achievement highlights their meticulous approach, which he feels many modern teams struggle to replicate.

However, there’s something more at play regarding that Dolphins team. Today, the league operates as a high-tech entertainment enterprise, consistent and omnipresent. While many admirable individuals are involved in the league, it often resembles a production line. Many games appear uniform. The NFL is a highly successful production factory—but still, a factory.

This isn’t just about an old-timer lamenting change. At its core, it’s a tribute to what the NFL used to stand for. It was a chaotic, unpredictable landscape. While there was great athleticism, the brutality of the 1970s demanded unparalleled precision. A mistake as a wide receiver could be forgiven today with minimal contact from defenders, yet things were different when opponents could physically harm you.

This team, rooted in the era of bell-bottoms and disco, remains significant in our current world of iPhones and electric vehicles because they evoke a time when the league, despite its major cultural shortcomings and apathy towards player safety, focused on the importance of details and care. Yes, some aspects persist today, but back then, meticulous attention to detail was everything.

“I’d love to say our success stemmed from some brilliant strategy,” Csonka shared with YSL News Sports, “but that would be nonsense. For us, it was all about detail. We dedicated ourselves to the smallest elements. This was largely due to a coach called (Don) Shula.”

“This focus on detail didn’t just improve your own performance; it enhanced the performance of your teammates as well. We became passionately invested in this attention to detail, and we also supported and challenged each other.”

Does Csonka believe any future team will achieve what the Dolphins did? “I think it’s becoming less likely over time,” Csonka remarked. “The number of games keeps increasing, too.”

In my opinion, the chances are nearly nonexistent. Parity among teams is a contributing factor, but the crux lies in what Csonka explained: the growing number of games. Would anyone find it surprising if the NFL moved to a 19 or 20-game season in the future? I wouldn’t. With so much money at stake, it seems inevitable. The more games added, the more the Dolphins’ historic feat becomes at risk of being duplicated.

Csonka has authored a book reflecting on his football career, showcasing his significant role in the sport. The history of the NFL would be incomplete without mentioning the ’72 Dolphins, just as it would be without Csonka himself.

Let’s honor him. Let’s remember this team. We might never witness anything like it again.

Ever.

(This article has been updated with new information.)