They used to make the announcement in each press field earlier than each recreation as a matter of protocol to remind sportswriters of their journalistic ethics. It was a means of reminding us that we have been there as reporters and never followers.
“This is an area for working media. There will be no cheering in the press box.”
I’ve at all times abided by the edict.
Except for as soon as.
And I give myself a move as a result of I wasn’t really cheering within the press field; I used to be cheering in a luxurious suite close to the press field. And, in addition to, I wasn’t cheering for a crew I used to be masking that day.
I used to be cheering with and for my boyhood idols — the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins, who will have fun the fiftieth anniversary of turning into the NFL’s solely undefeated crew throughout the Dolphins-Steelers on Sunday night time at Hard Rock Stadium.
It was 17 years in the past throughout one other recreation at Hard Rock Stadium after I dedicated my minor breach of journalistic ethics. The Dolphins have been enjoying the Jets, and I used to be there masking the sport for the Sentinel. Many of the ‘72 Dolphins additionally have been attending that December day, however they have been way more targeted on the Indianapolis Colts-San Diego Chargers recreation on an enormous display TV in a luxurious suite down from the press field.
Dave Hyde — the columnist on the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and creator Still Perfect: The Untold Story of the 1972 Dolphins (the fiftieth anniversary version of which was simply re-released) — in some way managed to get us into the luxurious suite.
When the Chargers shockingly upset the Colts to finish Indy’s march towards matching the ‘72 Dolphins’ season of perfection, the place went loopy and I all of the sudden discovered myself high-fiving and hugging operating again Jim Kiick and defensive sort out Manny Fernandez — each of whom performed for the ‘72 Dolphins.
The late, nice Don Shula, the legendary coach of the’72 Dolphins, was additionally watching the sport within the luxurious suite, and instantly phoned then-Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer to congratulate him on the victory.
“Marty’s a great friend of mine,” Shula stated with a smile splashed throughout his face. “Now he’s become an even better friend.”
Of course, everyone knows that earlier than Shula handed away, he and the ‘72 Dolphins would typically get criticized nationally for being “sore winners” as a result of they might pop a bottle of champagne and have fun at any time when the final undefeated crew of any given NFL season was crushed.
Just a few years earlier than he died, Shula was in Orlando for an look at one his Shula’s Steakhouses at Disney because the undefeated New England Patriots have been on the brink of tackle the New York Giants in Super Box XLII.
“I’m pulling for the New York Giants, and I’m not going to apologize for it,” Shula advised me then. “We, [the ‘72 Dolphins,] are always portrayed as angry old men because we’re proud of what we accomplished. Believe me, I’ll be the first to congratulate the Patriots if they run the table and finish with a perfect record because I know how hard it is to do. But that doesn’t mean I want it to happen.”
Those who reside in New York or Boston or Philly could have appeared on the ‘72 Dolphins as indignant previous males, however to me they have been the heroes of an impressionable younger boy who grew up within the sticks and scrub oaks and piney woods of North Florida.
For these of us native Floridians who grew up within the Nineteen Seventies, the Dolphins have been all we had as an expert sports activities crew. Back then, there have been no Magic or Marlins, Heat or Lightning, Rays or Panthers. Florida has 9 skilled franchises at this time — for those who rely the Jaguars. Back then, the Dolphins have been it.
And again then, there was no NFL package deal on DirectTV that lets you watch any recreation you need. And there was no Red Zone Channel the place you possibly can watch all of the video games directly.
In 1972, each NFL fan in Florida watched the Dolphins each week. I used to be then in elementary college and at all times watched the video games sporting my No. 22 Mercury Morris jersey as a result of Morris — the Dolphins’ shifty operating again — was my favourite athlete.
The ‘72 Dolphins actually introduced collectively a complete state of native Floridians, Cuban exiles, transplanted New Yorkers and migrating Midwesterners. Once, a number of years in the past, I bought an opportunity to inform Shula what his crew meant to our state.
“I’m probably more proud of that than anything,” Shula advised me. “We brought people in this state together. We were a common thread for transplants from Chicago and New York and Detroit. They all had different allegiances, but they all became Dolphins fans.”
Now right here we’re, a half-century later, and the crew will probably be honored at halftime on Sunday night time for his or her season of perfection.
“Obviously, it’s been 50 years since we went undefeated,” says Larry Csonka, the crew’s bruising fullback. “We’re dusty old guys, but each year [when the team has its annual reunion] we come back to life. It’s like the dust blows off.”
I gained’t be there Sunday night time when the mud blows away.
It’s simply as properly.
If I have been there, I’d most likely get kicked out of the press field for standing and cheering.
Email me at [email protected]. Hit me up on Twitter @BianchiWrites and take heed to my Open Mike radio present each weekday from 6 to 9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740 and HD 101.1-2
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Source: www.bostonherald.com