Tuesday Marks 40 Years Since Fins' Completed The Perfect Season
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – January 14 will forever hold a special place in the hearts and minds of Miami Dolphins everywhere. It was on this date in 1973 that the Dolphins pulled off a feat that has never been repeated in NFL history.
On this date in 1973, the Miami Dolphins walked onto the field at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum with a record of 16-0. The Dolphins were matched up against the NFC Champion Washington Redskins and looking to complete the perfect season.
Miami dominated the Redskins that day with the No-Name defense of the Dolphins completely shutting down Washington that afternoon. But, while Miami capped off a perfect season, what will be remembered from the Fins' final victory that season was "Garo's Gaffe."
In the final minutes of the game, Miami lined up to kick a field goal that would have pushed the score to 17-0. The kick was blocked and instead of just falling on the ball, Fins kicker Garo Yepremian picked up the ball and tried to throw the ball.
While Yepremian's "pass" was in the air, it was intercepted by the Redskins who returned it for a touchdown. The defense for the Dolphins stepped up and held the Redskins scoreless for the rest of the game, sealing a 14-7 victory in one of the lowest scoring Super Bowls ever.
Miami's victory finished off the 17-0 undefeated season that has never been duplicated. The New England Patriots came close, making it to the Super Bowl undefeated, only to watch Eli Manning complete a touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress to seal an upset victory.
