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Shula, 1972 Dolphins reign for another year

"What I learned today is how tough it is to go undefeated."

Don Shula, coach of the 1972 Miami Dolphins

With the 1972 Miami Dolphins' legacy safe for at least another season, Don Shula took a moment to congratulate the New England Patriots on a "great season."

But not the greatest season. That distinction still belongs to Shula's 17-0 Dolphins, who remain the NFL's only undefeated team after the Giants shocked New England 17-14 in the Super Bowl.

"The Patriots had a great season, but it shows just how difficult it is to go undefeated," Shula said. "Our players and our fans feel that much more proud of our accomplishment."

The Giants were happy to do their part to protect the Dolphins' place in history. Giants guard Chris Snee had a message for the Dolphins: "Thanks for supporting us. Your record stands for another year, I guess."

By tradition, members of the 1972 Dolphins uncork champagne bottles every autumn when the NFL's last remaining unbeaten goes down. This time, the party didn't happen until Sunday night, when the Giants handed the New England Patriots their first loss -- in their 19th game.

"Obviously, we're proud to still be the only undefeated team in the history of the National Football League," former Dolphins running back Jim Kiick said in a statement. "We're proud of it. Why shouldn't we be?"

The 1972 Dolphins cast a long shadow over this Super Bowl.

Kiick, Garo Yepremian, Larry Little and Mercury Morris gathered Friday for a media briefing. And in many local bars it was easy to find an argument over who would go down as the greater team -- the Dolphins or this year's Patriots.

That debate is moot now. The Patriots' march on the Dolphins died in the desert.

"We never were against the New England Patriots," Kiick said. "We have our accomplishments. We're not comparing ourselves to anyone else from other generations. We're happy with our own accomplishments. The Patriots are a great football team. Unfortunately, they didn't win this Super Bowl."

The Dolphins remained in the spotlight after the game, sharing the attention with the victorious Giants, their new favorite team.

"They played a fabulous game and I really thought they deserved to win," former Miami tight end Jim Mandich said. "I really feel the better team won. As for the 1972 Miami Dolphins, I don't take joy in the fact the Patriots lost -- period. But I do relish and savor the fact that there has only been one unbeaten team in the history of the NFL, and it is the 1972 Miami Dolphins. Of that, I am extremely proud."

Shula watched from a suite, an unfamiliar vantage point for the Hall of Famer.

"What I learned today is how tough it is to go undefeated," Shula said. "That's why I'm even more proud of our '72 team than I've ever been. It shows it's a tremendous accomplishment. It hadn't been done before we went undefeated and it hasn't been done since."
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