Legendary Don Shula, coach of undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, turns 85
Don Shula is one of the greatest coaches in NFL history. Whether he is the greatest can be debated. What can't is that Shula is the only coach to have guided a team to a perfect season.
Shula, who coached the 1972 Miami Dolphins to a 17-0 record and Super Bowl victory, celebrates his 85th birthday on Sunday.
Before going to Miami, Shula was on the other side of history, as his Baltimore Colts became the first NFL franchise to lose a Super Bowl to an AFL team, falling to the Joe Namath-led New York Jets in Super Bowl III.
However, that blemish was one of few on the record of a coach who went 328-156-6 (.678) in 33 seasons.
Shula coached the Colts for seven seasons before moving on to Miami, where he remained for 26 seasons, including back to back Super Bowl championship teams in the '72 and '73 seasons.
He also is the father of current Carolina Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula and Dave Shula, who was head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals from 1992 to 1996.
Don Shula and family have also staked a claim in fame in another industry, running Shula's Steak Houses.
Here's some videos celebrating Don Shula's career. Happy 85th, coach.
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NFL Week 1 odds, predictions, best bets: Lines for all 16 games
Why Chiefs' Harrison Butker missed the mark in commencement speech
2024 NFL strength of schedule: Ranking every team's slate
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2024 NFL schedule release: Win-loss predictions, analysis for every team
Inside the NFL schedule puzzle: Byes, Christmas, overseas trips and Taylor Swift
2025 Super Bowl LIX odds: Arizona Cardinals on the move after schedule release
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Shedeur Sanders has the hype — and skill — to be QB1 in 2025 draft class
QB Jared Goff has long-term deal in Detroit, and now he wants a Super Bowl title
Will Caleb Williams become Bears' first 4,000-yard passer in 2024?