Swimming with the Dolphins

On this week’s show are a pair of Miami Dolphins legends and Pro Football Hall of Fame members: coach Don Shula and offensive guard Larry Little.

Episode Segments:

Sports and Torts: Don Shula Don Shula’s record as head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969 and the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995 is unmatched in NFL history. In 1995, he concluded his 33rd season as the winningest NFL head coach ever with a career mark of 347-173-6. Of all NFL coaches, only Shula and the immortal George Halas attained 300 victories.
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Sports and Torts: Larry Little Larry began his football career at Bethune – Cookman college as a two way tackle, team captain, and an All Conference choice at Bethune – Cookman College, he enjoyed only moderate success with the San Diego Chargers his first two years. In July of 1969 He was traded to the Miami Dolphins, it didn’t take long before the 6’1” 265 pound offensive tackle was touted as one of the NFL’s premier Offensive lineman. As a right guard Larry accomplished several achievements, an intimidating force in Miami’s rushing attach, a superb pass blocker, and an extraordinary blocker in front of the Dolphins rushing attack of backs Csonka, Kiick and Morris.
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Guest(s) Appearing on this Episode

Don Shula Donald Francis Shula was born in Grand River, Ohio on January 4, 1930 and grew up in Painesville near Cleveland, OH. where he attended and played football for Harvey High School. Following high school he attended John Carroll University and was drafted by the Browns in 1951. He played two seasons before being traded to the Baltimore Colts in 1953 and subsequently the Washington Redskins before retiring in 1959 from active play. Shula then turned his attention to coaching beginning his career with the University of Virginia as the defensive backs coach. From there Shula moved to the University of Kentucky and on to the National Football League in 1960 where he joined the Detroit Lions as their defensive coordinator. Three years later, at age thirty-three, he was hired to coach the AFL Baltimore Colts and remained the head coach for seven seasons from 1963 - 1969. Following the 1969 season Shula was hired to take over the head coaching duties for the Miami Dolphins and the rest is NFL history. In 1973 he coached the Dolphins to a 17 - 0 season crowned by winning the Super Bowl over the Washington Redskins and remain the National Football League's only undefeated team. Shula retired in 1995 and still holds several NFL records including winningest coach with 347 victories, most consecutive seasons coached with 33 and most games coached with 526 games. Shula is father to five children including former Cincinnati Head Coach David and former Alabama coach Mike. His first Dorothy Bartish died of breast cancer in 1991 after thirty-three years of marriage and he remarried in 1993 to Mary Ann Spears. Shula and Mary Ann have appeared together in Nutri-System commercials for weight loss for individuals over sixty years of age. In 1997 Shula was inducted into the National Football League's Hall of Fame and has been honored at John Carroll University with his name on the school's new football stadium and in Miami with an expressway and an annual Florida college game named for him. Shula remains busy with a chain of steakhouse restaurants, the Don Shula Foundation for breast cancer and personal appearances at sporting events including the Super Bowl and 2007 WGC-CA Golf Tournament. Don's Page at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Larry Little Lawrence Chatmon Little (born November 2, 1945) is a former offensive guard in college and professional American football in the National Football League. He played collegiately at Bethune-Cookman College, in Daytona Beach, Florida. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Little went unselected in 1967, however he signed as a free agent with the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in 1967 and 1968, and was traded to the AFL's Miami Dolphins for the 1969 season, when he was named an AFL All-Star. He then played with the National Football League Dolphins from 1970 through 1980. Little was a key contributor to the success of the Dolphins' punishing running attack of the early and mid-1970s, which featured Larry Csonka, Mercury Morris, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick. He also served as head football coach of his alma mater, from 1983 to 1991, and as head coach at North Carolina Central University from 1993 to 1998. In addition, Little served as head coach of the Ohio Glory of the World League of American Football (which eventually became the now defeunct NFL Europe). On December 16, 1993 Larry was added to the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll. In 1999, he was ranked number 79 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. Larry's Website