Now DeLong is speaking out to say he would have seriously reconsidered his football career if he had known the risks. At 32 years old, he was the oldest starter on defense and the only one who made the Hall of Fame. They are the only team in NFL history to go undefeated and untied in the regular season and postseason. He became a multi-millionaire from his post-football career, and his earnings dwarfed what he earned during his 11-year playing career. The Dolphins scored a second touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Earl Morrall to Howard Twilley to take a 173 lead into halftime. 1. What I stressed in the locker room was that we wanted to make sure this wouldnt happen again. Seventeen players from the Dolphins' undefeated team are also deceased: Marlin Briscoe (died in June), Nick Buoniconti (2019), Jim Kiick (2020), Bob Kuechenberg (2019), Earl Morrall (2014), Jim. [41] Near the beginning of the first quarter, Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted Jets quarterback Joe Namath's first pass of that game. [9][10] Wilson also signed Manny Fernandez and traded for Nick Buoniconti, Larry Little, and Paul Warfield. The defense was led by Buoniconti, end Bill Stanfill, tackle Manny Fernandez, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. [20] A long Charlie Joiner touchdown got Houston on the board and a second score after a Morris fumble cut Miami's lead to 2713. Csonka then ran 1-yard for a touchdown, but defensive tackle Jim Bailey blocked Yepremian's extra point attempt. [31] Miami scored a touchdown on the opening drive, capped off by a 5-yard run by Mercury Morris. Stanfill retired back to his native Georgia, where he owned a hotel and worked in real estate. With the Dolphins leading 14-0 with two minutes left in the Super Bowl, they attempted a field goal to essentially end the game. For the 50th anniversary celebration, the Dolphins wore throwback uniforms as well as patches bearing a classic Dolphins logo, the number 50, and the years 1972 and 2022. He then went into politics and became mayor of Davie, Florida, which is where the Dolphins' training facility resides. It's an incredibly rare thing for an NFL team to remain undefeated throughout the entirety of a season. He became an anesthesiologist and works for Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, the earliest established public hospital in the United States. Later in the third quarter, Leypoldt kicked a 28-yard field goal, cutting their deficit to 2316 at the end of the period. [49], With the Dolphins defeating the Baltimore Colts, they finished the regular season with a perfect winloss record of 140. 1: 2 . He was MVP in 1968. Since retiring from the NFL in 1980, Griese has dabbled in real estate and splits his time between South Florida and North Carolina. Denver didnt give him a chance to compete for the quarterback job in 1969, so he asked to be released. Miami engineered another four-play scoring drive on its following possession, using a 30-yard Paul Warfield reception to set up a short Larry Csonka touchdown and give the Dolphins a 200 halftime lead. Still, his fame as the first Black quarterback in the AFLwas never forgotten by some, including President Barack Obama. The story of the '72 Dolphins is consistent with that of many other players who have suffered through agonizing physical and cognitive disabilities during their retirements. Career stats: 157 REC, 1,823 RYDS, 11.6 AVG, 16 TD, 1972 stats: 13 REC, 137 RYDS, 10.5 AVG, 2 TD, 1972 postseason stats: 5 REC, 50 YDS, 10.0 AVG, 0 TD. He had a career high in rushing yards in 1972 as the Dolphins, as a team, set the leagues single-season rushing mark. Bottom line: The origin of the greatest season in NFL history started with the Dolphins only loss during the calendar year of 1972. Twilley scored the first points of the game on a 28-yard touchdown reception that gave the Dolphins a lead they never relinquished. The 1972 Dolphins became the third team in the history of the NFL to complete a regular season undefeated and untied, after the 1934 and 1942 Chicago Bears, while the 1948 Cleveland Browns achieved a 140 record as a member of the All-America Football Conference. The Dolphins were beneficiaries of a weak AFC East that saw the Colts lapse from a perennial contender into a three-year stretch in which they would win only 11 games; a Bills team yet to find its legs with O. J. Simpson and the return of coach Lou Saban; a dysfunctional Patriots organization that had little to no talent to surround former No. The 1972 Miami Dolphins were named the No. Less than two minutes in, Bill Stanfill returned a Hoyle Granger fumble to Houston's one-yard line to set up a Jim Kiick touchdown. The Miami Dolphins have won twice in Super Bowls all-time. 1 : Yepremian, Garo: 57 : Kolen, Mike: 11 : Del Gaizo, James: 58 : Jenkins, Alfred: 12 : Griese, Bob: 59 : Swift, Doug: 13 : Scott, Jake: 62 : Langer, Jim: 15 The game ended with a 3721 victory for the Dolphins. Van Herder was unable to attend the ceremony because it was harvest season, and he had crops to attend to. Unfortunately, on Monday, the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson shared that former Dolphins wide receiver Marlin Briscoe, a member of the '72 team, passed away at 76 years old due to heart failure. There might have been better, or even more memorable, teams than those Dolphins, but nobody can argue with 14-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the postseason. The second quarter then ended after Yepremian kicked a 24-yard field goal. After serving three years in a jail cell that was in the shadow of the Orange Bowl, Morris was granted a new trial due to entrapment and reached a plea deal, which got him out of prison. However, Miami instead executed a fake punt in which Larry Seiple ran for 37yards. Miami scored on every possession they had during the first half, leading the Patriots 310 at intermission. Morris, the leading rusher of the game, accumulated 90rushing yards and 35receiving yards; he scored 3rushing touchdowns. A Garo Yepremian 33-yard field goal allowed Miami to take an early 30 lead. That was evident in 2013 when President Obama invited the '72 Dolphins to the White House. Miami then tied the game after Morrall threw a 9-yard pass to Csonka. Csonka was born in Ohio and spent his entire college and pro career either in Miami or New York, but he had the itch to move to Alaska in retirement and lives there today. The 1972 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's seventh season and third in the National Football League (NFL). Twilley has battled health scares in recent years, including lymphoma, and underwent a chemotherapy program. Fred McNeill, to confirm the diagnosis after his death. A turnover by New York's John Mendenhall during a punt return later in the fourth quarter led to another field goal by Yepremian, this time by a distance of 16yards. Bottom line: In 1972, the Dolphins became the first team in NFL history to have two 1,000 yard rushers, but Larry Little was the only offensive lineman to be rewarded as an All-Pro. [38] On the third play of the game, Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted Patriots quarterback Jim Plunkett at New England's 26-yard line. On the fourth play after the fumble, Morris managed to run 14yards to the end zone. Ariel Zilber For Dailymail.com The only score in the first quarter was 36-yard field goal by Miami's Garo Yepremian. Still an athlete, the 76-year-old is trying his hand at masters golf as the competitive bug never escaped him. 1 option and one of the leagues best deep threats. [11] Wilson was initially resentful of the Dolphins' success, believing his firing was premature and Shula had inherited a "ready-made team. He also played for the Cleveland Browns and . 22:16 GMT 13 May 2017 When he shook hands with Obama, the President said,"I know you. Jason Jenkins, the Dolphins' senior vice president of communications and community affairs, died Saturday, the team announced at halftime of its preseason game against the Eagles. He put his signature on Super Bowl VII by recording a sack on the final play of the game, taking down Redskins quarterback Billy Kilmer as Washington was looking to tie the game. After their loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI (Miami's only loss during calendar year 1972), Don Shula had vowed to not only reach the Super Bowl again but to win it. Neither team scored in the third quarter. He also served as the teams emergency punter and had four punts during the regular season, averaging 36.8 yards, just three yards fewer than the teams regular punter. Fifty years ago, history was made when the Miami Dolphins completed a perfect 17-0 season by winning Super Bowl VII in Los Angeles..In its newest episode, ESPN E60 examines what made that team so good and how the undefeated season unfolded. The study published in the journal Radiology foundmeasurable brain changes in teen players after a single season of ball - even without a concussion diagnosis. [36] The Bills then overtook the Dolphins on a drive capped off by quarterback Dennis Shaw throwing a 13-yard pass to running back Randy Jackson, although John Leypoldt's extra point attempt would be blocked. He became an advertising executive in Palo Alto and had kept a relatively low profile until 2015, when Heinz became the first player from the '72 Dolphins to auction away his Super Bowl ring from that year. [32], Dolphins tackle Manny Fernandez strip-sacked Bills quarterback Dennis Shaw at the Buffalo 10-yard line on the first play of the third quarter. Now, he is voicing his upset, accusing the league of not doing enough to protect former players and seemingly sweeping the issue under the rug, 'waiting for us to die'. Getty Images Jim Langer, a Hall of Fame center and member of the Miami Dolphins' undefeated team, has died, the . Just over halfway through the fourth quarter, the Redskins again drove far into Dolphins territory. The Dolphins led by a score of 137 at halftime. More than 90 percent of NFL players have brain disease, claims Bennet Omalu, a neuropathologist who had his story about discovering brain trauma and the NFL portrayed by Will Smith in the Concussion. Thus, Dolphins won Super Bowl VII by a score of 147. Miami now led by 243 after the third quarter. [19], The Orange Bowl's new Poly-Turf field and intermittent rains led to slippery conditions for Miami's Week 2 meeting with Houston. Buoniconti said he wouldn't have played football if he had known about the risks it posed to his brain health. Career stats: 804 ATT, 4,133 YDS, 5.1 AVG, 31 TD, 54 REC, 543 RYDS, 1 RTD, 1972 stats: 190 ATT, 1000 YDS, 5.3 AVG, 12 TD, 15 REC, 168 RYDS, 0 RTD, 1972 postseason stats: 41 ATT, 182 YDS, 4.4 AVG, 0 TD, 1 REC, -6 RYDS, 0 RTD. Within a few plays, the Jets scored another touchdown via a 28-yard pass from Namath to wide receiver Rich Caster. Miami took advantage this time and scored on a 1-yard rush by Kiick. Warfield, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1983, is one of the oldest living members from that '72 team and has been enjoying retirement in Southern California for the past few years. That followed a successful business career of owning 30 The Athletes Foot sporting good stores throughout the country. Bob Griese broke his leg and ankle on a tackle by Deacon Jones in Week 5, and Griese didn't return to the starting lineup until the Super Bowl. Wilkins, four years and 290 tackles later, has one year left on his rookie deal after the team picked up his fifth-year option . 2022 Allen & Ginter Mel Ott Metal Mini #109 SSP #'d/3 San Francisco Giants RARE! NFL experience: 13 years (1964-74, 1976-77), Career stats: 427 REC, 8,565 RYDS, 20.1 AVG, 85 TD, 1972 stats: 29 REC, 606 RYDS, 20.9 AVG, 3 TD, 1972 postseason stats: 7 REC, 149 RYDS, 21.3 AVG, 0 TD. Bottom line: The '72 Dolphins, with backup Earl Morrall at quarterback for most of the season, were not a pass-heavy team. He was 47. However, Cleveland failed to score in the first half, leaving Miami with a 100 at the intermission. $19.99. The Dolphins defense limited the Patriots to just 77net passing yards and 92rushing yards, including four sacks against Plunkett for a loss of 40yards. The list is likely longer, since not all 50 men on the roster of that team have stayed in contact with the organization. The Hawkeye won the Butkus Award in 2022. Bottom line: Doug Swift was the Dolphins' biggest playmaker among their linebacker group, and he finished tied for second on the team with three interceptions. The Miami Dolphins have won twice in Super Bowls all-time. 0: 0: 10: 185: 352: Miami Dolphins: 1/14/1973: Super Bowl: MIA @ WAS. He's from Broward County, but he also likes the talent. He was runner-up for AFL rookie of the year after passing for 1,589 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushing for 308 yards and three scores. Bill Stanfill, a defensive lineman for the 1972 Miami Dolphins, died in 2016 at age 69. Coach Don Shula also died in that timeframe (May 4, 2020). [53] Although this narrowed the Dolphins lead to 2117, the Steelers did not score again as the Dolphins intercepted Bradshaw twice in the final minutes of the game. The undefeated season of 17-0(including playoffs) You got some footage from a MNF game included here along with the NFL Films coverage. He then was traded to the Dolphins for a first-round pick and played for three seasons, including their perfect 17-0 season of1972 when he caught 16 passes for 279 yards and four TDs. Picture 1 of 1. 13 over pick in the 2019 draft. After retirement, Little coached football in the 1980s and 1990s as the head coach at Bethune-Cookman University, his alma mater, and North Carolina Central and in the World Football League for the Ohio Glory. . Three other teams, the Chicago Bears in 1934 and 1942 and the New England Patriots in 2007, reached the NFL's title game undefeated, but all three lost the championship. Bottom line: A converted linebacker, Jim Langer became a starter in the 1972 season and never looked back. In the second half, the Dolphins added six more points with a pair of third and fourth quarter field goals by Yepremian from 50yards and 35yards, respectively. 22:54 GMT 13 May 2017. [65] However, MSNBC reported that this was a deliberate snub by Nixon, who was a Redskins fan, even though Nixon owned a vacation home in nearby Key Biscayne, Florida and telephoned Shula only hours after the Dolphins defeated the Colts in the 1971 AFC Championship game to suggest a play for Miami to use in Super Bowl VI (a down-and-out pass to Warfield that was broken up by Cowboys safety Cornell Green). Les meilleures offres pour 1972 Topps Garo Yepremian All Pro Football Card #275 Miami Dolphins EX sont sur eBay Comparez les prix et les spcificits des produits neufs et d'occasion Pleins d'articles en livraison gratuite! The Dolphins made the playoffs for the first time in 1970, and in 1971, Miami won its first playoff game after defeating Kansas City in the longest game in league history. The 1972 Miami Dolphins took on the Steelers in the AFC Championship Game. He started just eight games during the regular season but was a constant presence in the playoffs, starting all three postseason games. 1972 Miami Dolphins Roster | The Football Database. The '72 Dolphins are one of the most iconic teams in all of sports, and you can still hear the champagne popping whenever the final undefeated NFL team loses each season. [51], Because home teams in the playoffs were decided based on a yearly rotation prior to the 1975 postseason, the Dolphins traveled to Pittsburgh for the AFC Championship Game on December31 despite being undefeated. Briscoe was among the 1972 Dolphins being honored at the White House in 2013. [52] The Steelers, who defeated the Raiders in the previous round via the Immaculate Reception,[53] jumped to an early 70 lead when Steelers guard Gerry Mullins recovered Terry Bradshaw's fumble in the end zone. To view the team's home games, Dolphins fans in the Miami-Dade area would have to attend home games in person or travel to outside markets such as Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville to watch the games on television. Subsequently, Miami's next drive stalled at Washington's 34-yard line. 2022 record: 9-8 (2nd in AFC East) Home Roster Statistics Schedule Draft Splits Transactions Injuries History. [45] The Dolphins increased their lead further in the second quarter, with a 10-yard field goal by Yepremian and a 1-yard rush by running back Jim Kiick on a drive that spanned 89yards. NFL experience: 9 years, all with Dolphins (1968-74, 1976-77). If those werent enough honors, Little recently received his honorary doctorate from Bethune-Cookman. The 76-year-old former middle linebacker for the Dolphins and Patriots was diagnosed with dementia in October 2016. CDC BUILDING DATABASE ON SPORTS-RELATED CONCUSSIONS. He was more of a blocker than a receiver and ranked just seventh on the team in receiving yards despite starting all 14 games. The Dolphins soon scored another touchdown when quarterback Earl Morrall threw a 3-yard pass to tight end Jim Mandich. After his rookie season, Briscoe asked for his release and moved to wide receiver. Many players and coaches helped the Dolphins achieve glory, and in football retirement, some of them even exceeded their success on the gridiron. After Maulty Moore blocked another Gerela field goal attempt, the Dolphins increased their lead to 2110 following a 49-yard drive capped by another rush by Kiick, this time by 3yards. Kiicks daughter is pro tennis player Allie Kiick, who has advanced as far as the third round of the French Open. Lead author, Dr Jasmeet Hayes, said: 'Our results suggest that when combined with genetic factors, concussions may be associated with accelerated cortical thickness and memory decline in Alzheimer's disease relevant areas. [30], The Dolphins remained at home during week 6 for a game against the intradivisional rival Buffalo Bills. Coach Don Shula praised Swift as "one of the smartest guys we had.". In all, roughly a quarter of the 1972 team's players are dead, and so far three of them have been found to have chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or C.T.E., the degenerative brain disease associated with repeated head trauma that can only be diagnosed after death. However, in the final minutes of the game, Miami executed a six play, 80-yard drive capped by an 8-yard rush by running back Jim Kiick. The Dolphins did not allow the Patriots to score throughout the game. That's probably appropriate, as they remain the only team in the Super Bowl era to go undefeated, finishing with a perfect. He also completed all three of his passes that season - on trick plays. Those are seven individuals who are known to have been diagnosed with football-related illnesses. Yes, because the Patriots were a few plays away from boasting the 2007 Lombardi trophy. The antecedent drive included several long runs and an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty against the Bills. Shula studied philosophy as an undergraduate, and The Don Shula Chair in Philosophy supports the universitys philosophy department by presenting programs to philosophers and the general public. The 1972 Dolphins consisted mostly of the same core of players that it possessed from 1970 through 1974 and was the most dominant NFL team during that stretch. 1972 was the seventh consecutive season that Warfield averaged at least 20 yards per reception, and he caught three of the teams seven completions in the Super Bowl. New York responded with an 80-yard drive that included several short passes from Namath, before eventually ending with a 1-yard rushing touchdown by fullback John Riggins. Miami would ultimately win the game by a score of 2824 and improve to 100. New York increased their lead on Miami to 177 after Bobby Howfield kicked a 33-yard field goal. The NFL celebrated its 100th season in 2019, and through the first 100 seasons, only one team can call itself perfect. Four decades later, on August 20, 2013, the team was invited by President Barack Obama to visit the White House. In 1983 the Dolphins drafted quarterback Dan Marino, who would go on to set major career NFL passing records and be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.Teamed with the "Marks Brothers"wide receivers Mark Clayton and Mark Duperand working behind a line anchored by centre Dwight Stephenson, Marino ran an offense that often ranked at the top of the league. The ball was too big for the 5-foot-7 Yepremian, and it slipped out of his hands and right to a Redskins defender. That player then returned the fumble for Washington's only score of the game. Garo Yepremian's extra point allowed the Dolphins to take a 70 lead. The 60-year-old spent a decade playing in the NFL and believes the constant bone-crunching challenges he suffered during his career are responsible for his declining health. The Miami Dolphins chose a hard reset after a 7-9 record in 2018. Deceased (1945-2020) . [37], Following their win against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins hosted the New England Patriots at the Orange Bowl for Week 9. Garo Yepremian's subsequent extra point attempt was blocked, his first miss after seventy-five consecutive successful attempts. Before heading west, Warfield returned to his native Ohio and was Browns owner Art Modells special assistant in addition to serving as the teams director of player relations. Ask the 1972 Miami Dolphins NBC's Bob Costas predicted this month that the sport would collapse over time barring new technology. Many players and coaches helped the Dolphins achieve glory, and in football retirement, some of them even exceeded their success on the gridiron. Later in the third quarter, Yepremian kicked a 18-yard field goal. Shula won an NFL-record 347 games, including playoff games. Shortly thereafter, Dolphins quarterback Earl Morrall was intercepted by Bills safety Tony Greene and returned for a touchdown, narrowing Miami's lead to 1613. Buffalo now led Miami by a score of 63. The team will be honored Sunday night at . [43] Dolphins safety Dick Anderson intercepted St. Louis quarterback Gary Cuozzo's first pass of the game at the Cardinals' 29-yard line. Three players of the 1972 "perfect season" Miami Dolphins Nick Buoniconti, Jake Scott and Jim Kiick agreed to donate their brain in death to further research of chronic traumatic encephalopathy . Please check your email for a confirmation. One of the participants is the son of former Minnesota Vikings player Greg DeLong. He died from the disease in 2015 at the age of 70. Miami added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter via an 8-yard rush by running back Hubert Ginn. The 1972 Miami Dolphins, led by Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula, finished 17-0 and won Super Bowl VII over the Washington Redskins. By the beginning of the fourth quarter, with little doubt about which team would win, Dolphins quarterback Jim Del Gazio replaced Morrall. Dolphins player countdown: Top 25 Miami Dolphins players countdown: No. The 49ers happen to have a direct connection to that team. Instead, he discusses the harrowing ordeal he went through after retiring. Washington was favored by 1-point, despite Miami entering the game undefeated and the Redskins having three regular season losses. Scott has remained out of the public eye for the most part since hanging up the cleats following the 1978 season. But the attempt was blocked, and Yepremian picked the ball up and tried to throw a pass instead of just falling to the ground. 1 team in NFL history. Bottom line: The 1972 Dolphins were much more than a collection of talented individuals. This play is sometimes referred to as "Garo's Gaffe". That means the 1972 Miami Dolphins still reign as the only NFL team. Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese entered the game in the fourth quarter, his first time on the field since his injury against the Chargers in Week 5. [34] Miami scored in the first quarter on an 80-yard drive that included a 20-yard pass from quarterback Earl Morrall to wide receiver Howard Twilley, a 32-yard rush by running back Larry Csonka, a 19-yard rush by running back Mercury Morris, and finally a 1-yard rush by Csonka for a touchdown. Bottom line: Even though he was a great player and a six-time Pro Bowler, Bob Kuechenbergs legacy was sometimes overshadowed by his mouth and the controversial comments he made. When the 69-year-old Kolen was asked if he believed football was the cause, he said: 'I think that's about the only way I'd have cognitive issues.'. Cheyenne Roundtree They . Briscoe started five games that season. At this point, the Dolphins led by 377. [23], Minnesota quickly regained possession by intercepting Bob Griese, but two sacks of Tarkenton kept Minnesota out of field goal range and the game at 146. Charles Irving "Charlie" Leigh Sr. (October 29, 1945 - October 26, 2006) was a National Football League (NFL) running back.He was the first and only NFL player to be signed out of high school. He was in his second NFL season when the Dolphins struck perfection, and he was the youngest starter on the team at the age of 23. Seven-time All-Pro linebacker Zach Thomas is on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He was the second defensive player to be named Super Bowl MVP, and he is still just one of two safeties to win the award. He is best known for backing up Larry Csonka and returning kicks for the Miami Dolphins' back to back Super Bowl champions in the 1972 and 1973 seasons. However, in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins put together another scoring drive that included a 26-yard pass from Morrall to Morris and then 4-yard rush by Morris for the touchdown. Yepremian then tried to throw a pass, but the ball was instead caught by Washington cornerback Mike Bass, who ran the other way to cut the Dolphins lead to 147. [2], The Dolphins' early-1970s defensive unit was termed the "No-Name Defense" by Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry given its lack of high-profile players (the unit's only Hall of Famer, linebacker Nick Buoniconti, achieved much of his success with the New England Patriots and was not inducted until 2001). Outside of academic and athletic recognition, Little is involved with his foundation, which raises funds to help children learn to swim. Morrall was replaced in the second half of the AFC championship game, and Griese took back the reins in the Super Bowl, but the Dolphins never would have even gotten to that point without Morrall filling in. The Dolphins scored first, with a 40-yard field goal by Garo Yepremian in the first quarter. [54] Consequently, Miami remained undefeated and advanced to Super Bowl VII. Miami has decisions to make on their quarterback. He and his wife formed a foundation for brain tumor research in 2001 after their daughter-in-law was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Years with Dolphins: 7 years (1969-74, 1976). After a few more plays, Morris scored a 7-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a Yepremian extra point. The Dolphins shut out the Baltimore Colts, Shula's former team, to reach Super Bowl VI, where they lost 243 to Dallas. However, Kiick's second touchdown following a fourteen-play drive in the fourth quarter put the game out of reach, and a Tim Foley interception sealed a 3413 Dolphins victory. The 1972 Dolphins are STILL the only undefeated NFL team in the history of the world. In 1972, the Miami Dolphins created NFL history by having a perfect season. At the time, the announced crowd of 104,209 fans was the third-largest in NFL history, with the . Feb 3. With the 50th anniversary of the perfect 1972 Miami Dolphins season upon us, there will be a lot of reflecting down throughout the year. Bottom line: The only starter on the '72 Dolphins defense that was a first-round pick, Bill Stanfill also was one of two first-team All-Pros on the defense. Briscoe was originally drafted out of Nebraska-Omaha in the 14th round of the 1968 draft by the Denver Broncos, becoming the first black starting .