Perfect season
The phrase Perfect Season refers to any sports season in which a team remains undefeated. While easier in the shorter collegiate seasons (NCAA football has an undefeated team almost annually), it remains virtually impossible in any of the professional sports.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins
In the National Football League, the term "Perfect Season" refers to the 1972 Miami Dolphins undefeated campaign led by coach Don Shula and notable teammates Bob Griese, Earl Morrall and Larry Csonka (among many others). This team went 17-0-0 and won Super Bowl VII. It is not true, however, as is often falsely reported, that the team gathers to drink champagne on the day the final undefeated NFL team loses. Shula denied this urban legend in an interview with ESPN.com's Gene Wojciechowski.[1]
Serious challenges have come from the 1998 Broncos[2] and the 2005 Colts[3] with both teams having won their first 13 games before losing their next two, noting that back in 1972, NFL teams played 14 regular season games. Also, three teams had regular seaons of 15-1, and won out through the playoffs, finishing with 18-1 overall records; the San Francisco 49ers (1984), Pittsburgh Steelers 2006 and the Chicago Bears (1985). (Another interesting note of trivia is that it is technically inaccurate to say that the Miami Dolphins did not lose any games in 1972, because during the previous season Miami had lost Super Bowl VI held in January 1972, and that Miami lost to the Green Bay Packers during the pre-season of 1972.)
To this day, the "perfect season" stands as a classic example of the whole being greater than the sum of the parts, with the Dolphin defense having even been branded with the nickname "No-Name Defense" in mockery of its lack of star power. The '72 Dolphins used that nickname with pride[4].
The 2001 Quad City Steamwheelers
It is also noted that the Dolphins are not the only owner of a perfect season. The Quad City Steamwheelers, an Arena Football League 2 team completed their inagural season with a perfect 19-0 season, culminating with a win in the championship game.
Other Major Professional Sports League
In the other major sports league (Major League Baseball, National Basketball Association, and National Hockey League) it is practically impossible to get a perfect season due to their long regular season (162 for MLB, 82 for NBA and NHL) and their best of- playoff format in which a team must gain a certain victories to advance. In other words, a team may lose in the playoff but keep it alive. Also, for other sports leagues for individuals, such as the PGA or NASCAR, this would amount to winning every tournament, all season long.
References
- ^ [1]"Shoes ... The Jaw ... by any name, Shula still the king," by Gene Wojciechowski, ESPN.com, Feb. 1, 2007
- ^ [2]Accessed Jan 16, 2007
- ^ [3]Accessed Jan 16, 2007
- ^ .Twice in history the Dolphins stopped a perfect season for the Chicago Bears(1985,2006)both years the Bears were in the Super Bowl[4]Accessed Jan 16, 2007
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