Editing Super Bowl VII

{{Short description|1973 Edition of the Super Bowl}}
{{redirect|1973 Super Bowl|the Super Bowl that was played at the completion of the 1973 season|Super Bowl VIII}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox Super Bowl
| type = sb
| name = VII
| image = Super Bowl VII Logo.svg
| visitor = [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]
| home = [[1972 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]]
| visitor_abbr = MIA
| home_abbr = WAS
| visitor_conf = [[American Football Conference|AFC]]
| home_conf = [[National Football Conference|NFC]]
| visitor_coach = [[Don Shula]]
| visitor_record = 14–0
| home_coach = [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]]
| home_record = 11–3
| visitor_total = 14
| home_total = 7
| visitor_qtr1 = 7
| visitor_qtr2 = 7
| visitor_qtr3 = 0
| visitor_qtr4 = 0
| home_qtr1 = 0
| home_qtr2 = 0
| home_qtr3 = 0
| home_qtr4 = 7
| date = {{start-date|January 14, 1973}}
| time = 12:49 p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]([[UTC-8]])
| stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| city = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
| attendance = 90,182<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/results/superbowl|title=Super Bowl Winners|work=NFL.com|access-date=February 4, 2015|archive-date=January 7, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107102640/http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/results/superbowl|url-status=live}}</ref>
| odds = Redskins by 1<ref>{{Cite web |last=Maher |first=Tyler |last2=Pempus |first2=Brian |date=2024-05-16 |title=Super Bowl Betting: Point Spread History |url=https://www.forbes.com/betting/football/nfl/point-spreads-super-bowl/ |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=Forbes Betting |language=en-US}}</ref>
| MVP = [[Jake Scott]], [[Safety (American football position)|safety]]
| anthem = Little Angels of Holy Angels Church, [[Chicago]]
| coin_toss = [[Tommy Bell (American football official)|Tom Bell]]
| referee = [[Tommy Bell (American football official)|Tom Bell]]
| HOFers = '''Dolphins:''' [[Don Shula]] (head coach), [[Bobby Beathard]] (personnel administrator), [[Nick Buoniconti]], [[Larry Csonka]], [[Bob Griese]], [[Jim Langer]], [[Larry Little]], [[Paul Warfield]]<br /> '''Redskins:''' [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] (head coach), [[Chris Hanburger]], [[Sonny Jurgensen]], [[Charley Taylor]]
| halftime = [[Woody Herman]], [[Andy Williams]]  and the [[Michigan Marching Band]]
| network = [[NFL on NBC|NBC]]
| announcers = [[Curt Gowdy]], [[Al DeRogatis]], and [[Bill Enis]]
| rating = 42.7 <br /><small>(est. 53.32 million viewers)</small><ref>{{cite web|url=http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/01/18/historical-super-bowl-tv-ratings/11044|title=Historical Super Bowl Nielsen TV Ratings, 1967–2009 – Ratings|publisher=TVbytheNumbers|access-date=October 9, 2012|archive-date=February 8, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100208213536/http://tvbythenumbers.com/2009/01/18/historical-super-bowl-tv-ratings/11044|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| share = 72
| commercial = $88,000
| radio = [[NFL on NBC Radio|NBC Radio]]
| radioannouncers = [[Jim Simpson (sportscaster)|Jim Simpson]] and [[Kyle Rote]]
| last = VI
| next = VIII
}}
'''Super Bowl VII''' was an [[American football]] game between the [[American Football Conference]] (AFC) champion [[1972 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] and the [[National Football Conference]] (NFC) champion [[1972 Washington Redskins season|Washington Redskins]] to decide the [[National Football League]] (NFL) champion for the [[1972 NFL season|1972 season]]. The Dolphins vanquished the Redskins by the score of 14–7, winning their first Super Bowl, and became the first and still the only team in modern NFL history to complete a [[Perfect season|perfect undefeated season]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Solomon |first=George |date=January 15, 1973 |title=Dolphins Finish Super Season |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/nfl/longterm/superbowl/stories/sb7.htm |access-date=August 29, 2022 |newspaper=Washington Post}}</ref> They also remain the only Super Bowl champion to win despite having been shut out in the second half of the game. This was the first professional sports championship ever won by a [[Florida]]-based team. The game was played on January 14, 1973, at the [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] in Los Angeles, the second time the Super Bowl was played in that city. At kickoff, the temperature was {{convert|84|F}}, making the game the warmest Super Bowl.<ref name="Warmest SB ever">{{cite web|title=Super Bowl Game-Time Temperatures|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/news/super-bowl-game-time-temperatures/|website=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|date=2017|access-date=February 6, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307202941/http://www.profootballhof.com/news/super-bowl-game-time-temperatures/|url-status=live}}</ref>

This was the Dolphins' second Super Bowl appearance; they had lost [[Super Bowl VI]] to Dallas the previous year. The Dolphins posted an undefeated 14–0 regular season record before defeating the [[1972 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]] and [[1972 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]] in the playoffs. The Redskins were making what would be the first of five Super Bowl appearances in a 20-year period, after posting an 11–3 regular season record and playoff victories over the [[1972 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] and [[1972 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29453631/source-redskins-announce-nickname-changed|title=Source: Redskins to announce nickname will be changed|first=John|last=Keim|work=[[ESPN.com]]|date=July 12, 2020|access-date=July 13, 2020|archive-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713031210/https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29453631/source-redskins-announce-nickname-changed|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite being undefeated, the Dolphins were actually one-point underdogs,<ref name=linesmakers>{{cite web|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/super-bowl-betting-history-patriots-vs-seahawks-point-spread-line-vegas-odds/qk28fzuhyadj167dsqlj2p79c|title=Super Bowl Betting History – Underdogs on Recent Roll|first=Marcus|last=DiNitto|series=The Linemakers|work=[[The Sporting News]]|date=January 25, 2015|access-date=January 27, 2020|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127182908/https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/super-bowl-betting-history-patriots-vs-seahawks-point-spread-line-vegas-odds/qk28fzuhyadj167dsqlj2p79c|url-status=live}}</ref> largely based on the weakness of their regular season schedule (and losing the previous Super Bowl).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/page2/s/list/football/teams/greatest.html|title=Greatest NFL teams of all time|work=ESPN.com|access-date=January 16, 2013|archive-date=August 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819111835/http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/football/teams/greatest.html|url-status=live}}. "[T]he Dolphins played one of the easiest schedules in modern NFL history – the opposition had a combined winning percentage under .400"</ref>

Super Bowl VII was largely dominated by the Dolphins, and is the second-lowest-scoring Super Bowl to date with a total of only 21 points (three touchdowns and three extra points), behind only the 13–3 score of [[Super Bowl LIII]]. The only real drama occurred during the final minutes of the game, in what was later known as "Garo's Gaffe".<ref>{{cite news | title=SUPER BOWL XXV; Garo's Gaffe, McGee's Hangover And More: The First 24 Years | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/27/sports/super-bowl-xxv-garo-s-gaffe-mcgee-s-hangover-and-more-the-first-24-years.html | newspaper=The New York Times | first=Gerald | last=Eskenazi | date=January 27, 1991 | access-date=March 10, 2012 | archive-date=October 13, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013132859/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/01/27/sports/super-bowl-xxv-garo-s-gaffe-mcgee-s-hangover-and-more-the-first-24-years.html | url-status=live }}</ref> Miami attempted to cap their 17–0 perfect season with a 17–0 shutout by means of a 42-yard field goal by [[Garo Yepremian]],<ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4oLr-bJ8Ws&t=1m50s|title=Preparation is Key with 1972 Miami Dolphins' Coach Don Shula|last=mouthpiecesports1|date=July 31, 2008|via=YouTube|access-date=November 30, 2016|archive-date=March 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325041716/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4oLr-bJ8Ws&t=1m50s|url-status=live}}</ref> but instead the game and the season was jeopardized when his kick was blocked. Instead of falling on the loose ball, the Dolphins kicker picked it up, attempted a forward pass, but batted it in the air, and Redskins cornerback [[Mike Bass]] (who was Yepremian's former teammate on the [[Detroit Lions]] years earlier) caught it and returned it 49 yards for a touchdown. This remains the longest period in a Super Bowl for one team to be shut out, as Washington was held scoreless until 2:07 remained in the fourth quarter.<ref group="note">The previous Super Bowl with the longest period for being shut out was [[Super Bowl III|in 1969]], where the Jets held the Colts scoreless until 3:19 left in the game. Don Shula was head coach on the losing side that time, so he held the record for the longest period to be held under a shut out as well as the longest period to hold a shut out.</ref> Because of the turnover and score, what was a Miami-dominated game became close, and the Dolphins had to stop Washington's final drive for the tying touchdown as time expired.

Dolphins [[Safety (American football position)|safety]] [[Jake Scott]] was named [[Super Bowl MVP|Most Valuable Player]]. He recorded two interceptions for 63 return yards, including a 55-yard return from the end zone during the fourth quarter. Scott became the second defensive player in Super Bowl history (after [[linebacker]] [[Chuck Howley]] in [[Super Bowl V]]) to earn a Super Bowl MVP award.
[[File:1986 Jeno's Pizza - 33 - Jim Kiick (cropped).jpg|thumb|right|250px|[[Jim Kiick]] (''center right'') rushing the ball for Miami in Super Bowl VII.]]

==Background==
===Host selection process===
The NFL awarded Super Bowl VII to Los Angeles on March 21, 1972, at the owners' meetings held in [[Honolulu]]. For the first time, multiple Super Bowl sites were selected at a single meeting, as hosts for both VII and [[Super Bowl VIII|VIII]] were named. Five cities, [[Los Angeles]], [[Houston]], [[Miami]], [[Dallas]], and [[New Orleans]], prepared serious bids, while [[San Francisco]] ([[Stanford Stadium]]) withdrew from the running a week prior to the vote. After nine deadlocked votes, [[Bud Adams]] recommended awarding two consecutive sites. This compromise mirrored an idea brought up in 1971 by representatives from Miami.<ref name="MN03-24-71pg33a">{{cite news|title=Miami wants change in Super selection (Part 1)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116308122/|first1=Al|last1=Levine|newspaper=The Miami News|page=33|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 24, 1971|accessdate=January 12, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="MN03-24-71pg37a">{{cite news|title=Miami wants change in Super selection (Part 2)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/116308189/|first1=Al|last1=Levine|newspaper=The Miami News|page=37|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 24, 1971|accessdate=January 12, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref> Los Angeles won on the ninth ballot, while second place Houston was named the host for [[Super Bowl VIII|VIII]]. In order to accommodate the game, the [[Pro Bowl]] was shifted from [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]] to [[Texas Stadium]] for 1973.<ref name="MH03-22-1972pg77">{{cite news|title='73 Super Bowl Goes to L.A., '74 to Houston|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117087930/|first1=Bill|last1=Braucher|newspaper=The Miami Herald|page=77|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 22, 1972|accessdate=January 23, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref><ref name="OES03-22-1972pg73">{{cite news|title=NFL Owners Pick Pair of Super Bowl Sites|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/117087808/|newspaper=The Orlando Evening Star|page=73|via=[[Newspapers.com]]|date=March 22, 1972|accessdate=January 23, 2023}}{{Open access}}</ref>

===Miami Dolphins===
{{main article|1972 Miami Dolphins season}}
The Dolphins went undefeated during the season, despite losing their starting quarterback. In the fifth game of the regular season, starter [[Bob Griese]] suffered a fractured right leg and dislocated ankle. In his place, 38-year-old [[Earl Morrall]], a 17-year veteran, led Miami to victory in their nine remaining regular season games, and was the 1972 [[NFL Comeback Player of the Year]]. Morrall had previously played for Dolphins head coach [[Don Shula]] when they were both with the [[History of the Indianapolis Colts|Baltimore Colts]], where Morrall backed up quarterback [[Johnny Unitas]] and started in [[Super Bowl III]].

But Miami also had the same core group of young players who had helped the team advance to the previous year's [[Super Bowl VI]]. (The only Dolphins starter in Super Bowl VII over the age of 30 was 32-year-old [[Nick Buoniconti]].) The Dolphins still had a powerful running attack, spearheaded by running backs [[Larry Csonka]], [[Jim Kiick]] and [[Mercury Morris|Eugene "Mercury" Morris]]. (Morris, who in previous seasons had been used primarily as a kick returner, took over the starting halfback position from Kiick, who had been the starter the previous four years. However, the more-experienced Kiick would start in Super Bowl VII.) Csonka, who had the best season of his career, led the team with 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. Kiick contributed 521 yards and five touchdowns, and also caught 21 passes for 147 yards and another touchdown. Morris, a breakaway runner, rushed for exactly 1,000 yards, caught 15 passes for 168 yards, added another 334 yards returning kickoffs, and scored a league-leading 12 rushing touchdowns. Overall, Miami set a record with 2,960 total rushing yards during the regular season, and became the first team ever to have two players rush for 1,000 yards in one season. Miami led the NFL in points scored (385). Since 1972, only six other teams have had two 1,000 yard rushers in the same backfield, but the Dolphins are the only one of those seven to make it to and win the Super Bowl.

Receiver [[Paul Warfield]] once again provided the run-based Dolphins with an effective deep-threat option, catching 29 passes for 606 yards, an average of 20.9 yards per catch. Miami's offensive line, led by undrafted future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] [[Jim Langer]] and [[Larry Little]], was also a key factor in the Dolphins' offensive production. Miami's "No-Name Defense" (a nickname inspired by [[Dallas Cowboys]] head coach [[Tom Landry]] when he could not recall the names of any Dolphins defenders just before Super Bowl VI), led by future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] linebacker [[Nick Buoniconti]], allowed the fewest points in the league during the regular season (171), and ranked second in the NFL with 26 interceptions. Safety [[Jake Scott]] recorded five interceptions, while [[Lloyd Mumphord]] had four picks and safety [[Dick Anderson]] had three interceptions and led the NFL with five fumble recoveries. Because of injuries to defensive linemen (at the beginning of the season the Dolphins were down to four healthy players at the position), defensive coordinator [[Bill Arnsparger]] created what he called the "53" defense, in which the versatile [[Bob Matheson]] (number 53) would be used as either a defensive end in the standard [[American football strategy|4–3 defense]] or as a fourth linebacker in a [[American football strategy|3–4 defense]], with [[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]] at [[nose tackle]]. As a linebacker, Matheson would either rush or drop back into coverage. Said Nick Buoniconti, "Teams would be totally confused."<ref name=Buoniconti>Nick Buoniconti, "Super Bowl VII", ''Super Bowl: The Game of Their Lives'', Danny Peary, editor. Macmillan, 1997. {{ISBN|0-02-860841-0}}</ref> Linebacker [[Doug Swift]] was also a playmaker with three interceptions and a fumble recovery.

The Dolphins' undefeated, untied regular season was the third in NFL history, and the first of the post-[[AFL–NFL merger|merger]] era. The previous two teams to do so, the 1934 and 1942 [[Chicago Bears]], both lost the NFL Championship game. The [[Cleveland Browns]] also completed a perfect season in 1948, including a league championship, while part of the [[All-America Football Conference]] (AAFC), but this feat is recognized only by the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]], since the NFL does not officially recognize any AAFC records.

===Washington Redskins===
{{Main article|1972 Washington Redskins season}}

Following the death of Redskins head coach [[Vince Lombardi]] 17 days prior to the start of the 1970 season, Washington finished 6–8 under interim coach [[Bill Austin (American football, born 1928)|Bill Austin]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1972 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/was/1972.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Shortly after the conclusion of the 1970 season, the Redskins hired [[George Allen (American football coach)|George Allen]] as their head coach, hoping he could turn the team's fortunes around. Allen's philosophy was that veteran players win games, so immediately after taking over the team, he traded away most of the younger team members and draft choices for older, more established players. His motto was "The future is now." Washington quickly became the oldest team in the NFL and earned the nickname "The Over-the-Hill Gang." The average age of starters was 31 years old.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect! The Untold Story of the 1972 Miami Dolphins'', p. 239. Dolphins/Curtis Publishing, 2002 {{ISBN|0-9702677-1-1}}</ref> However, Allen's strategy turned the Redskins around, as the team improved to a 9–4–1 record in 1971, and finished the 1972 season with an NFC-best 11–3 record.

Washington was led by 33-year-old quarterback [[Billy Kilmer]], who completed 120 out of 225 passes for 1,648 yards and a league-leading 19 touchdowns during the regular season, with only 11 interceptions, giving him an NFL-best 84.8 [[passer rating]]. Kilmer had started the first three games of the season, was replaced in Game 4 by 38-year-old [[Sonny Jurgensen]], then replaced Jurgensen when he was lost for the season with an [[Achilles tendon]] injury. The Redskins' powerful rushing attack featured two backs. [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]] gained 1,216 yards (first in the NFC and second in the NFL, behind only [[O. J. Simpson]]'s 1,251 rushing yards) on 285 carries during the regular season, caught 32 passes for 473 yards and scored 12 touchdowns, earning him both the [[NFL Most Valuable Player Award]] and the [[NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award]]. [[Charley Harraway]] ran for 567 yards on 148 carries. Future [[Pro Football Hall of Fame|Hall of Fame]] wide receiver [[Charley Taylor]] and wide receiver [[Roy Jefferson]] provided the team with a solid deep threat, combining for 84 receptions, 1,223 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Veteran tight end [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]] added 21 receptions for 353 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Washington also had a solid defense led by linebacker [[Chris Hanburger]] (four interceptions, 98 return yards, one touchdown) and cornerbacks [[Pat Fischer]] (four interceptions, 61 return yards) and [[Mike Bass]] (three interceptions, 53 return yards)

===Playoffs===
{{Further|1972–73 NFL playoffs}}
Morrall led the Dolphins to a 20–14 playoff win over the [[Cleveland Browns]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins - December 24th, 1972 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212240mia.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> However, Griese started the second half of the AFC Championship Game to help rally the Dolphins to a 21–17 victory over the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=AFC Championship - Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 31st, 1972 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310pit.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> A fake punt by Miami's [[Larry Seiple]] made the difference.

Meanwhile, the Redskins advanced to the Super Bowl without having allowed a touchdown in either their 16–3 playoff win over the [[Green Bay Packers]] or their crushing 26–3 NFC Championship Game victory over the Cowboys, the defending Super Bowl champions.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Green Bay Packers at Washington Redskins - December 24th, 1972 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212240was.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - December 31st, 1972 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197212310was.htm |access-date=2024-07-08 |website=[[Pro Football Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>

===Super Bowl pregame news and notes===
Much of the pregame hype surrounded the chances of the Dolphins completing a perfect, undefeated season, as well as their quarterback controversy between Griese and Morrall. Griese was eventually picked to start the Super Bowl because Shula felt more comfortable with Morrall as the backup just in case Griese was ineffective following his recent inactivity. Miami was also strongly motivated to win the Super Bowl after having been humiliated by the [[Dallas Cowboys]] in [[Super Bowl VI]]. Wrote Nick Buoniconti, "There was no way we were going to lose the Super Bowl; there was no way."<ref name=Buoniconti/> Head coach Don Shula, loser of Super Bowls [[Super Bowl III|III]] and [[Super Bowl VI|VI]], was also determined to win. Although Shula was relaxed and charming when dealing with the press, it was all an act; Dolphins players described him as "neurotic" and "absolutely crazy." He was also sick during Super Bowl week with the flu, which he kept secret.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'', p. 248.</ref>

Still, many favored the Redskins to win the game because of their group of "Over the Hill Gang" veterans, and because Miami had what some considered an easy schedule (only two opponents, [[Kansas City Chiefs|Kansas City]] and the [[New York Giants]], posted winning records, and both of those teams were 8–6) and had struggled in the playoffs. While Washington had easily crushed both playoff opponents, Miami had narrowly defeated theirs. Most surprisingly, the Dolphins needed to mount a fourth-quarter comeback against the Browns, whom they were heavily favored to defeat.

Allen had a reputation for spying on opponents. A school overlooked the Rams facility that the NFL designated as the Dolphins practice field, so the Dolphins found a more secure field at a local community college. Dolphins employees inspected the trees every day for spies.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'', p. 239.</ref>

Miami cornerback [[Tim Foley (defensive back)|Tim Foley]], a future broadcaster who was injured and would not play in Super Bowl VII, was writing daily stories for a Miami newspaper and interviewed George Allen and his players, provoking charges from Allen that Foley was actually spying for Shula.<ref name=Strother>Shelby Strother, "The Perfect Season", ''NFL Top 40''. Viking, 1988. {{ISBN|0-670-82490-9}}</ref>

Allen was extremely uptight and prickly dealing with the press Super Bowl week, and accused the press of ruining his team's preparation. Allen pushed the team so hard in practices that the players joked among themselves that they should have left Allen in Washington.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'', p. 247.</ref>

During practice the day before Super Bowl VII, the Dolphins' 5'7" 150-pound kicker, [[Garo Yepremian]], relaxed by throwing 30-yard passes to [[Dave Shula]], Don Shula's son. During the pregame warmups, he consistently kicked low line drives and couldn't figure out why.<ref name="Dave Hyde p264">Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'', p. 264.</ref>

This was the first Super Bowl in which neither coach wore a tie. Shula wore a coat and tie for Super Bowl VI, but wore a white short-sleeved polo shirt for this game, as did Allen. For [[Super Bowl VIII]], Shula would wear a sport coat, but with a shirt underneath that was similar to the one he wore in Super Bowl VII. This was the warmest Super Bowl on record with a kickoff temperature of {{convert|84|F|C}}.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Steinberg |first=Michael |date=2024-01-29 |title=Super Bowl Weather Forecast and Super Bowl Weather Records  |url=https://www.almanac.com/super-bowl-weather-history-records |access-date=2024-06-08 |website=Almanac.com |language=en}}</ref>

The American flag in the east end of the Coliseum flew at half-mast in memory of former [[President of the United States|President]] [[Harry S. Truman]], who died December 26, 1972. [[Richard Nixon]] declared the traditional 30-day mourning period following the death of a president later that day.

==Broadcasting==
The game was broadcast in the United States by [[NFL on NBC|NBC]] with [[Play-by-play|play-by-play announcer]] [[Curt Gowdy]], [[color commentator]] [[Al DeRogatis]] and [[sideline reporter]] [[Bill Enis]]; who also covered the Trophy presentation, with other contributors including [[Kyle Rote]]. This was Enis' final Super Bowl telecast before his death on December 14, 1973, as well as Rote's last Super Bowl before leaving broadcasting and DeRogatis' first Super Bowl as lead color commentator (and only Super Bowl as the solo analyst).

This was the first Super Bowl to be televised live in the city in which it was being played, via NBC's flagship station in Los Angeles, [[KNBC]] (Channel 4). Despite unconditional [[blackout (broadcasting)|blackout]] rules in the NFL that normally would have prohibited the live telecast from being shown locally, the NFL allowed the game to be telecast in the Los Angeles area on an experimental basis when all tickets for the game were sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1971-1980|title=NFL History by Decade|website=www.nfl.com|access-date=May 6, 2006|archive-date=April 2, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070402171348/http://www.nfl.com/history/chronology/1971-1980|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1973/1973-01-01-BC.pdf | title=NFL won't play ball; Nixon may blow whistle | work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]] | date=January 1, 1973 | page=33 | access-date=November 27, 2019}}</ref> The league then changed its blackout rules the following season to allow any game sold out at least 72 hours in advance to be televised in the host market.<ref>{{cite book | title=America's Game: The Epic Story of How Pro Football Captured a Nation | first=Michael | last=MacCambridge | author-link=Michael MacCambridge | year=2005 | page=301 | publisher=Anchor Books | isbn=978-0-375-72506-7}}</ref> No subsequent Super Bowl has ever been blacked out under this rule, as all have been sold out (owing to its status as the marquee event on the NFL schedule, meaning that tickets sell out quickly).

Because of Super Bowl VII, NBC was forced to delay its broadcast of [[Elvis Presley]]'s ''[[Aloha from Hawaii]]'' concert, which took place the same day and was intended to be broadcast around the world live. NBC eventually re-edited the concert and aired it later that April.

This game is featured on ''NFL's Greatest Games'' under the title "17–0".

==Entertainment==
The pregame show was a tribute to [[Apollo 17]], the sixth and last mission to land on the [[Moon]] and the final one of [[Project Apollo]]. The show featured the [[Michigan Marching Band]] and the crew of Apollo 17 who exactly [[Apollo 17#Return to Earth|one month earlier]] had been the final humans to date to leave the Moon. The Apollo 17 crew also recited the final [[Pledge of Allegiance]] in Super Bowl history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lady Gaga to Sing the National Anthem at Super Bowl 50 on CBS |url=https://nflcommunications.com/Pages/Lady-Gaga-to-Sing-the-National-Anthem-at-Super-Bowl-50-on-CBS.aspx |access-date=March 28, 2023 |website=nflcommunications.com}}</ref>

Later, the Little Angels of Chicago's Angels Church from [[Chicago]] performed the national anthem.

==Halftime show==
{{Infobox halftime show
| SBNumeral     = VII
| date          = January 14, 1973
| location      = [[Los Angeles]], [[California]]
| venue         = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]]
| headliner     = [[Michigan Marching Band]]<br />[[Woody Herman]]<br />[[Andy Williams]]<br />[[Citrus College]] Singers
| guests        = 
| producer = [[Tommy Walker (events director)|Tommy Walker]]
| director      = 
| theme         = "Happiness Is"
| Last          = [[Super Bowl VI halftime show|VI]]<br />(1972)
| this          = '''VII'''<br />(1973)
| next          = [[Super Bowl VIII#Entertainment|VIII]]<br />(1974)
}}

The halftime show, featured [[Woody Herman]] and the [[Michigan Marching Band]] along with The [[Citrus College]] Singers and [[Andy Williams]], was titled "Happiness Is".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Eustis |first1=Ross |title=Super Bowl Tributes To Jazz Greats |url=https://www.sfjazz.org/onthecorner/super-bowl-tributes-jazz-greats |website=SFJazz |access-date=February 22, 2022 |date=February 2, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Norman1">{{cite web |last1=Norman |first1=Tony |title=Tony Norman: The NFL embraces this conflicted, hip-hop moment |url=https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/tony-norman/2022/02/14/Super-bowl-halftime-performance-Dre-Snoop-Eminem-Kendrick-Lamar-50-Cent-Mary-J-Blige-DJ-Kool-Herc-50th-anniversary-hip-hop/stories/202202150022 |website=Pittsburgh Post-Gazette |access-date=February 22, 2022 |language=en |date=February 15, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Byrnes |first1=Hristina |title=Who Performed at Every Super Bowl's Halftime Show – 24/7 Wall St. |url=https://247wallst.com/special-report/2022/01/27/who-performed-at-every-super-bowls-halftime-show-2/ |website=247wallst.com |access-date=February 18, 2022 |date=January 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Fraley |first1=Jason |title=Every Super Bowl halftime show ranked |url=https://wtop.com/entertainment/2019/01/memorable-super-bowl-halftime-shows/ |website=WTOP News |access-date=February 18, 2022 |language=en |date=January 29, 2019}}</ref> The show was produced by [[Tommy Walker (events director)|Tommy Walker]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kirby |first1=Jacqueline |title=Power Ranking Every Super Bowl Halftime Show Ever |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/973238-power-ranking-every-super-bowl-half-time-show-ever |website=Bleacher Report |access-date=February 23, 2022 |language=en |date=December 8, 2011}}</ref>

=== Setlist ===
{{unreferenced section|date=February 2022}}
Partial setlist:
* "[[Put On a Happy Face (song)|Put on a Happy Face]]" (University of Michigan Marching Band)
* "[[Woodchopper's Ball]]" (University of Michigan Marching Band with Woody Herman)
* "[[La Virgen de la Macarena]]" (University of Michigan Marching Band)
* "[[This Land Is Your Land]]" (University of Michigan Marching Band)
* "[[Marmalade, Molasses & Honey]]" (Andy Williams)
* "[[People (Barbra Streisand song)|People]]" (Andy Williams)

==Game summary==
According to Shula, the Dolphins' priority on defense was to stop Larry Brown and force Billy Kilmer to pass. Buoniconti looked at Washington's offensive formation on each play and shifted the defense so it was strongest where he felt Brown would run.<ref name=Buoniconti/> This strategy proved successful. Washington's offensive line also had trouble handling Dolphins' defensive tackle/nose tackle [[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]], who was very quick. "He beat their center [[Len Hauss]] like a drum", wrote Buoniconti. Miami's defenders had also drilled in maintaining precise pursuit angles on sweeps to prevent the cut-back running that [[Duane Thomas]] had used to destroy the Dolphins in [[Super Bowl VI]].

Washington's priority on defense was to disrupt Miami's ball-control offense by stopping Larry Csonka.<ref>Shelby Strother, "Playing to Perfection", ''The Super Bowl: Celebrating a Quarter-Century of America's Greatest Game''. Simon & Schuster, 1990 {{ISBN|0-671-72798-2}}</ref> They also intended to shut down Paul Warfield by [[double coverage|double-covering]] him.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'', p. 256.</ref>

With a game-time kickoff temperature of {{convert|84|F}}, this is the warmest Super Bowl to date. It came the year after the coldest game in [[Super Bowl VI]] which registered a temperature at kickoff of {{convert|39|F}}.<ref name="Warmest SB ever" />

===First quarter===
As they did in [[Super Bowl VI]], Miami won the toss and elected to receive. Most of the first quarter was a defensive battle with each team punting on their first two possessions. The Dolphins would, however, get two key breaks. Offensive tackle [[Howard Kindig]] appeared to fumble the snap on their first punt from the Miami 27 and lose the ball to Washington linebacker [[Harold McLinton]], but McLinton was called for slapping at the ball while it was being snapped, for a 5-yard penalty. On the replay of the down, Miami punter [[Larry Seiple]] got the kick away safely. Later, after stopping the Redskins for the second time, Dolphins safety [[Jake Scott]] did not call for a fair catch, as he had not been told to do so by safety [[Dick Anderson]]. Scott fumbled the ball while taking a hit by Redskins cornerback [[Ted Vactor]], but Anderson made the recovery.<ref name="Dolphs Upset Skins for 17-0 Record">{{cite web | title=Dolphins Do It, Upset Skins for 17–0 Record | url=https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/super-bowl-vii-dolphs-upset-skins-17-0-record-article-1.1553595 | first=Larry | last=Fox | date=January 15, 1973 | work=[[New York Daily News|Daily News]] | location=New York | access-date=November 27, 2019 | archive-date=November 28, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128043819/https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/super-bowl-vii-dolphs-upset-skins-17-0-record-article-1.1553595 | url-status=live }}</ref> Miami then started this drive on their own 37-yard line with 2:55 left in the first quarter. Running back [[Jim Kiick]] started out the drive with two carries for 11 yards. Then quarterback [[Bob Griese]] completed an 18-yard pass to wide receiver [[Paul Warfield]] to reach the Washington 34-yard line. After two more running plays, Griese threw a 28-yard touchdown pass (his longest completion of the game) to wide receiver [[Howard Twilley]] for his only catch of the game. Twilley fooled cornerback [[Pat Fischer]] by faking a route to the inside, then broke to the outside and caught the ball at the 5-yard line, dragging Fischer with him into the end zone. "Griese read us real good all day", said Fischer.<ref name=Strother/> Kicker [[Garo Yepremian]]'s extra point gave the Dolphins a 7–0 lead with one second remaining in the period. (Yepremian noticed that the kick was too low, just like his practice kicks).<ref name="Dave Hyde p264"/>

===Second quarter===
On the third play of the Redskins' ensuing drive, Scott intercepted Redskins quarterback [[Billy Kilmer]]'s pass down the middle intended for wide receiver [[Charley Taylor]] and returned it 8 yards to the Washington 47-yard line. However, a 15-yard ineligible player downfield penalty on the Dolphins nullified Greise's 20-yard pass to tight end [[Marv Fleming]] on the first play after the turnover, and the Dolphins were forced to punt after a three-and-out.

After the Redskins were forced to punt again, Miami reached the 47-yard line with a 13-yard run by fullback [[Larry Csonka]] and an 8-yard run by Kiick. But on the next play, Griese's 47-yard touchdown pass to Warfield was nullified by an illegal formation penalty on Miami's offensive line. On third down, Redskins defensive tackle [[Diron Talbert]] sacked Griese for a 6-yard loss and the Dolphins had to punt.

The Redskins then advanced from their own 17-yard line to the Miami 48-yard line (their first incursion into Miami territory) with less than two minutes left in the half. But on 3rd-and-3, Dolphins linebacker [[Nick Buoniconti]] intercepted a pass by Kilmer at the Miami 41-yard line and returned it 31 yards to the Washington 28-yard line. From there, Kiick and Csonka each ran once for three yards, and then Griese completed a 19-yard pass (his sixth completion in six attempts) to tight end [[Jim Mandich]], who made a diving catch at the 2-yard line. Two plays later, Kiick scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with a block by Csonka, guard [[Larry Little]], and offensive tackle [[Norm Evans]] with just 18 seconds left in the half, giving the Dolphins a lead of 14–0 before halftime (once again, Yepremian noticed his extra point kick was too low).

Miami's defense dominated the Redskins in the first half, limiting Washington to 49 yards rushing, 23 yards passing, and four first downs.

===Third quarter===
The Redskins had more success moving the ball in the second half. They took the second half kickoff and advanced across midfield for only the second time in the game, driving from their own 29-yard line to Miami's 17-yard line in a seven-play drive that featured just two runs. On first down at Miami's 17-yard line, Kilmer threw to Taylor, who was open at the 2-yard line, but Taylor stumbled right before the ball arrived and the ball glanced off his fingertips. After a second-down screen pass to fullback [[Charley Harraway]] fell incomplete, Dolphins defensive tackle [[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]] sacked Kilmer on third down for a loss of 8 yards, and Washington's drive ended with no points after kicker [[Curt Knight]]'s ensuing 32-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right. "That was an obvious turning point", said Allen.<ref name=Strother/> Three possessions later, the Dolphins drove 78 yards to Washington's 5-yard line, featuring a 49-yard run by Csonka, the second-longest run in Super Bowl history at the time. However, Redskins safety [[Brig Owens]] intercepted a pass intended for Fleming in the end zone for a touchback.

===Fourth quarter===
Early in the fourth quarter, Washington threatened to score by mounting their most impressive drive of the game, driving 79 yards from their own 11 to Miami's 10-yard line in twelve plays. On second down at the Miami 10-yard line, Kilmer threw to Smith, who was wide open in the end zone, but the ball hit the crossbar of the goalpost and fell incomplete. Then on third down, Scott intercepted Kilmer's pass to Taylor in the end zone and returned it 55 yards to the Redskins 48-yard line.

Miami moved the ball to the Washington 34-yard line on their ensuing drive. Leading 14–0 on 4th-and-4, Shula could have tried for [[Fourth down conversion#F|a conversion]], but thought "What a hell of a way to remember this game" if they could end a perfect 17–0 season with a 17–0 Super Bowl final score.<ref name=autogenerated1 /> He called on Yepremian to attempt a 42-yard field goal in what is now remembered as one of the most famous blunders in NFL lore: "Garo's Gaffe". As had been the case all day, Yepremian's kick was too low, and it was blocked by defensive tackle [[Bill Brundige]]. The ball bounced to Yepremian's right and he reached it before holder [[Earl Morrall]]. But instead of falling on the ball, Yepremian picked it up and, with Brundige bearing down on him, made a frantic attempt to pass the ball to Csonka,<ref>Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick, with Dave Anderson, ''Always on the Run'', p. 218. Random House, 1973 {{OCLC|632348}}</ref> who blocked on field goals. Unfortunately for Miami, the ball slipped out of his hands and went straight up in the air. Yepremian attempted to bat the ball out of bounds,<ref name="Dave Hyde p264"/> but instead batted it back up into the air, and it went right into the arms of cornerback [[Mike Bass]], who returned the fumble 49 yards for a touchdown, the first fumble recovery returned for a touchdown in Super Bowl history, to make the score 14–7 with 2:07 left in the game.

Washington did not try an onside kick following the touchdown, but instead kicked deep. The Redskins were forced to use up all of their timeouts on the Dolphins' ensuing five-play possession, but did force Miami to punt (nearly blocking the punt) from their own 36-yard line with 1:14 remaining in the game, giving themselves a chance to drive for the tying touchdown and force overtime for the first time in Super Bowl history. However, Miami's defense forced two incompletions and a 4-yard loss on a swing pass, and then defensive ends [[Vern Den Herder]] and [[Bill Stanfill]] sacked Kilmer for a 9-yard loss on fourth down, sealing the Dolphins' victory. Following the ball being spotted on the change of possession, the clock was started, as per the rule which existed at the time, and no more plays were run before time expired in the game. Beginning the [[1973 NFL season|following season]] with a new rule change, the clock would not start until the snap following all changes of possession.

Griese finished the game having completed 8 out of 11 passes for 88 yards and a touchdown, with one interception. Csonka was the game's leading rusher with 15 carries for 112 yards. Kiick had 38 rushing yards, two receptions for six yards, and a touchdown. Morris had 34 rushing yards. Manny Fernandez had 11 solo tackles and six assists. Kilmer completed six more passes than Griese but finished the game with just 16 more total passing yards and was intercepted three times. Said Kilmer, "I wasn't sharp at all. Good as their defense is, I still should have thrown better."<ref name=Strother/> Washington's Larry Brown rushed for 72 yards on 22 carries and also had five receptions for 26 yards. Redskins receiver [[Roy Jefferson]] was the top receiver of the game, with five catches for 50 yards. Washington amassed almost as many total yards (228) as Miami (253), and actually more first downs (16 to Miami's 12) and more time of possession (32:31 to 27:29). As of 2023, this game is the only Super Bowl where the team with the advantage in time of possession did not score any offensive points.

===Delayed White House visit===
The Dolphins never made the traditional post-game visit to the [[White House]] due to the [[Watergate scandal]], but in August 2013 finally made the trip at the behest of [[Barack Obama]], minus [[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]], [[Jim Langer]], and [[Bob Kuechenberg]], who did not attend due to their opposition to the Obama administration.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2013/08/20/president-obama-white-house-welcome-1972-miami-dolphins/ | title=1972 Miami Dolphins visit President Obama, White House | first=Cindy | last=Boren | date=August 20, 2013 | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | access-date=November 27, 2019 | archive-date=June 17, 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180617042904/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2013/08/20/president-obama-white-house-welcome-1972-miami-dolphins/ | url-status=live }}</ref> [[Garo Yepremian]] was a longtime Republican supporter and friend of former Florida Governor [[Jeb Bush]] but made the trip anyway and had an amusing exchange with President Obama over his long-ago bumble in the game.

===Box score===
{{Americanfootballbox
| bg = #eee
| titlestyle = text-align:center; {{NFLPrimaryStyle|NFL|year=1972|border=2}};
| title = Super Bowl VII: Miami Dolphins 14, Washington Redskins 7
| Road = '''Dolphins (AFC)'''
| R1 = 7
| R2 = 7
| R3 = 0
| R4 = 0
| Home = Redskins (NFC)
| H1 = 0
| H2 = 0
| H3 = 0
| H4 = 7
| stadium = [[Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum]], [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]]
| date = January 14, 1973
| time = 12:49 p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|PST]]
| weather = {{convert|84|°F|°C}}, sunny, hazy<ref>{{cite news|title=Super Bowl Game-Time Temperatures|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/news/super-bowl-game-time-temperatures/|publisher=[[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]|access-date=March 9, 2018|archive-date=March 7, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307202941/http://www.profootballhof.com/news/super-bowl-game-time-temperatures/|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryStart | VisitorName=MIA | HomeName=WAS | state=expanded}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry | Quarter=1 | Time=0:01 | Team=MIA | DrivePlays=6 | DriveLength=63 | DriveTime=2:54 | Type=RecTD | Receiver=[[Howard Twilley]] | QB=[[Bob Griese]] | yards=28 | kickresult=good | Kicker=[[Garo Yepremian]] | Visitor=7 | Home=0}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry | Quarter=2 | Time=0:18 | Team=MIA | DrivePlays=5 | DriveLength=27 | DriveTime=1:33 | Type=RushTD | Runner=[[Jim Kiick]] | yards=1 | kickresult=good | Kicker=Yepremian | Visitor=14 | Home=0}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEntry | Quarter=4 | Time=2:07 | Team=WAS | DriveLength=— | DriveTime=— | Type=FumbleTD
 | Def=[[Mike Bass]] | yards=49 | kickresult=good | Kicker=[[Curt Knight]] | Visitor=14 | Home=7}}
{{AmFootballScoreSummaryEnd|Visitor=14|Home=7}}

==Final statistics==
Sources:''The NFL's Official Encyclopedic History of Professional Football'', (1973), p.&nbsp;153, Macmillan Publishing Co. New York, LCCN 73-3862, [http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/boxscore/sbvii NFL.com Super Bowl VII], [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/play_finder.cgi?request=1&super_bowl=1&match=summary_all&year_min=1966&year_max=1972&team_id=mia&opp_id=was&quarter=1&quarter=2&quarter=3&quarter=4&quarter=5&tr_gtlt=lt&minutes=15&seconds=00&down=0&down=1&down=2&down=3&down=4&yg_gtlt=gt&is_first_down=-1&field_pos_min_field=team&field_pos_max_field=team&end_field_pos_min_field=team&end_field_pos_max_field=team&type=PASS&type=RUSH&type=PUNT&type=KOFF&type=ONSD&type=FG&type=XP&type=2PCR&type=2PCP&is_complete=-1&is_turnover=-1&turnover_type=interception&turnover_type=fumble&is_scoring=-1&score_type=touchdown&score_type=field_goal&score_type=safety&is_sack=-1&include_kneels=-1&no_play=0&order_by=yards Super Bowl VII Play Finder Mia], [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/play-index/play_finder.cgi?request=1&super_bowl=1&match=summary_all&year_min=1966&year_max=1972&team_id=was&opp_id=mia&quarter=1&quarter=2&quarter=3&quarter=4&quarter=5&tr_gtlt=lt&minutes=15&seconds=00&down=0&down=1&down=2&down=3&down=4&yg_gtlt=gt&is_first_down=-1&field_pos_min_field=team&field_pos_max_field=team&end_field_pos_min_field=team&end_field_pos_max_field=team&type=PASS&type=RUSH&type=PUNT&type=KOFF&type=ONSD&type=FG&type=XP&type=2PCR&type=2PCP&is_complete=-1&is_turnover=-1&turnover_type=interception&turnover_type=fumble&is_scoring=-1&score_type=touchdown&score_type=field_goal&score_type=safety&is_sack=-1&include_kneels=-1&no_play=0&order_by=yards Super Bowl VII Play Finder Was]

===Statistical comparison===
{| class="wikitable"
!
!'''Miami Dolphins'''
!'''Washington Redskins'''
|-
|First downs||12||16
|-
|First downs rushing||7||9
|-
|First downs passing||5||7
|-
|First downs penalty||0||0
|-
|Third down efficiency||3/11||3/13
|-
|Fourth down efficiency||0/0||0/1
|-
|Net yards rushing||184||141
|-
|Rushing attempts||37||36
|-
|Yards per rush||5.0||3.9
|-
|Passing – Completions/attempts||8/11||14/28
|-
|Times sacked-total yards||2–19||2–17
|-
|Interceptions thrown||1||3
|-
|Net yards passing||69||87
|-
|Total net yards||253||228
|-
|Punt returns-total yards||2–4||4–9
|-
|Kickoff returns-total yards||2–33||3–45
|-
|Interceptions-total return yards||3–95||1–0
|-
|Punts-average yardage||7–43.0||5–31.2
|-
|Fumbles-lost||2–1||1–0
|-
|Penalties-total yards||3–35||3–25
|-
|Time of possession||27:29||32:31
|-
|Turnovers||2||3
|-
|}

===Individual statistics===
{{col-float|width=50%}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Miami Dolphins|year=1972|border=2}};"|Dolphins passing
|-
! 
!C/ATT<sup>1</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!INT
!Rating
|-
|[[Bob Griese]]
|8/11
|88
|1
|1
|88.4
|-
! colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Miami Dolphins|year=1972|border=2}};"|Dolphins rushing
|-
! 
!Car<sup>2</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>3</sup>
!Yds/Car
|-
|[[Larry Csonka]]
|15
|112
|0
|49
|7.47
|-
|[[Jim Kiick]]
|12
|38
|1
|8
|3.17
|-
|[[Mercury Morris]]
|10
|34
|0
|6
|3.40
|-
! colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Miami Dolphins|year=1972|border=2}};"|Dolphins receiving
|-
!
!Rec<sup>4</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>3</sup>
!Target<sup>5</sup>
|-
|[[Paul Warfield]]
|3
|36
|0
|18
|4
|-
|Jim Kiick
|2
|6
|0
|4
|2
|-
|[[Howard Twilley]]
|1
|28
|1
|28
|2
|- 
|[[Jim Mandich]]
|1
|19
|0
|19
|1
|-
|Larry Csonka
|1
|–1
|0
|–1
|1
|-
|[[Marv Fleming]]
|0
|0
|0
|0
|1
|}
{{col-float-break|width=50%}}
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Washington Redskins|year=1972|border=2}};"|Redskins passing
|-
!
!C/ATT<sup>1</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!INT
!Rating
|-
|[[Billy Kilmer]]
|14/28
|104
|0
|3
|19.6
|-
! colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Washington Redskins|year=1972|border=2}};"|Redskins rushing
|-
!
!Car<sup>2</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>3</sup>
!Yds/Car
|-
| [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]]
|22
|72
|0
|11
|3.27
|-
|[[Charley Harraway]]
|10
|37 
|0
|8
|3.70
|-
|Billy Kilmer
|2
|18 
|0
|9
|9.00
|-
|[[Charley Taylor]]
|1
|8
|0
|8
|8.00
|-
|[[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]]
|1
|6
|0
|6
|6.00
|-
! colspan="6" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Washington Redskins|year=1972|border=2}};"|Redskins receiving
|-
!
!Rec<sup>4</sup>
!Yds
!TD
!LG<sup>3</sup>
!Target<sup>5</sup>
|-
|[[Roy Jefferson]]
|5
|50
|0
|15
|6
|-
|Larry Brown
|5
|26 
|0
|12
|8
|- 
|Charley Taylor
|2
|20
|0
|15
|9
|- 
|Jerry Smith
|1
|11
|0
|11
|2
|-
|Charley Harraway
|1
|–3
|0
|–3
|2
|-
|[[Clifton McNeil]]
|0
|0
|0
|0
|1
|}
{{col-float-end}}
<sup>1</sup>Completions/attempts
<sup>2</sup>Carries
<sup>3</sup>Long gain
<sup>4</sup>Receptions
<sup>5</sup>Times targeted

===Records set===
The following records were set or tied in Super Bowl VII, according to the official NFL.com boxscore<ref name="Boxscore">{{Cite web |url=http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/boxscore/sbvii |title=Super Bowl VII boxscore |work=NFL.com |access-date=November 10, 2016 |archive-date=March 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317095035/http://www.nfl.com/superbowl/history/boxscore/sbvii |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ProFootball reference.com game summary.<ref name="Stats" /> Some records have to meet NFL minimum number of attempts to be recognized.<ref name="Factbook">{{cite web | url=http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf | title=2016 NFL Factbook | publisher=NFL | access-date=November 7, 2016 | archive-date=November 6, 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151106030504/http://www.nfl.com/static/content/public/photo/2015/07/21/0ap3000000502939.pdf | url-status=live }}</ref> The minimums are shown (in parentheses).

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=3|Player Records Set in Super Bowl VII<ref name="Stats">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197301140mia.htm |title=Super Bowl VII statistics |publisher=Pro Football reference.com |access-date=November 6, 2016 |archive-date=November 7, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107234058/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197301140mia.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>
|- 
!colspan=3|Rushing Records 
|-  
|Most yards, career || 152 ||rowspan=3| [[Larry Csonka]]<br />(Miami)
|-
|Longest run from scrimmage || 49 yards
|-
|Highest average gain, career (20 attempts) || 6.3 yards (152–24)  
|-
!colspan=3|Fumbles
|-
|Most fumble return yards, game ||rowspan=3 style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"| 49 yards ||rowspan=4|[[Mike Bass]]<br />(Washington)
|-
|Longest fumble return  
|- style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"
|Longest fumble return for touchdown   
|-
|Most fumble returns for touchdowns, game || 1
|-
!colspan=3|Defense
|-
|Most interception yards gained, game ||rowspan=2|63 || rowspan=2|[[Jake Scott]]<br />(Miami)
|-
|Most interception yards gained, career    
|-
!colspan=3|Special Teams 
|- 
|Most kickoff returns, career || 6 || rowspan=2| [[Mercury Morris]]<br />(Miami)
|-
|Most kickoff return yards, career || 123
|-
!colspan=3|Records Tied
|- style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"
|Most interceptions thrown, game || 3 || [[Billy Kilmer]]<br />(Washington)
|-style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray" 
|Most interceptions made, game || 2 || Jake Scott<br />(Miami)
|-
|rowspan=2|Most fumbles, game<br />Most fumbles, career || rowspan=2|1 || style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"|[[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]]<br />(Washington)
|- style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"
| [[Garo Yepremian]]<br />Jake Scott<br />(Miami)
|-
| rowspan=2|Most fumbles recovered, game <br />Most fumbles recovered, career || rowspan=2|1 || style="border-bottom:2px solid gray"|Mike Bass<br />(Washington)
|-
| [[Dick Anderson]]<br />(Miami) 
|}

{{col-float|width=50%}}
{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=3|Team Records<ref name="Stats" /> 
|-
!colspan=3|Passing
|-
|Fewest passing attempts || 11 || rowspan=3|Dolphins
|-
|Fewest passes completed || 8
|- style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"
|Fewest yards passing (net) || 69
|-
|Lowest average yards gained<br />per pass attempt || 3.1 || Redskins<br />(87–28)
|-
!colspan=3|Defense
|-
|Most yards gained by <br />interception return || 95 || Dolphins
|-  
!colspan=3|Punting
|-
|Lowest average, game (4 punts) || 31.2 yards (5–156) || Redskins
|-
!colspan=3|Records Tied
|- 
|Most Super Bowl appearances || 2 || rowspan=6| Dolphins
|- 
|Most consecutive Super Bowl appearances || 2
|-
|Most points, first quarter || 7
|-
|Largest lead, end of first quarter || 7 points
|-
|Fewest points, second half || 0
|- style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"
|Fewest first downs passing || 5
|-
|Most Super Bowl losses || 1 || rowspan=4| Redskins
|-
|Fewest points, first half || 0
|-
|Fewest rushing touchdowns || 0
|- style="border-bottom: 2px solid gray"
|Fewest passing touchdowns || 0
|-
|Fewest first downs penalty || 0 || Dolphins<br />Redskins
|}

{{col-float-break|width=50%}}

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan=4|Records set, both team totals<ref name="Stats" />
|-
! !!Total !!Dolphins!!Redskins
|-
!colspan=4|Points, Both Teams thru 
|-align=center 
|align=left|Fewest points || 21 || 14 ||7  
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest points scored, second half || 7 || 0 || 7
|-
!colspan=4|Field Goals, Both Teams
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest field goals made || 0 || 0 || 0
|-
!colspan=4|Net yards, Both Teams
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest net yards,<br /> rushing and passing || 481 || 253 || 228
|-
!colspan=4|Rushing, Both Teams
|-align=center
|align=left|Most rushing attempts || 73 || 37 || 36
|-
!colspan=4|Passing, Both Teams
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest passing attempts || 39 || 11 || 28
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest passes completed || 22 || 8 || 14
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest yards passing (net) || 156 || 69 || 87
|-
!colspan=4|Defense, Both Teams
|-align=center
|align=left| Most yards gained by <br />interception return || 95 || 95 || 0
|-
!colspan=4|Kickoff returns, Both Teams
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest yards gained || 78 || 33 || 45
|-
!colspan=4|Punt returns, Both Teams 
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest yards gained || 13 || 4 || 9
|-
!colspan=4|Records tied, both team totals
|-align=center
|align=left|Most points, first quarter || 7 || 7 || 0
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest field goals attempted || 2 || 1 || 1
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest rushing touchdowns || 1 || 1 || 0
|-align=center
|align=left|Fewest first downs, penalty || 0 || 0 || 0
|-align=center 
|align=left|Fewest kickoff returns || 5 || 2 || 3
|}
{{col-float-end}}

==Starting lineups==
Source:<ref>{{cite web|title=Super Bowl VII–National Football League Game Summary|url=http://www.nflgsis.com/1972/Post/03/12157/Gamebook.pdf|publisher=NFL Enterprises, LLC|website=NFLGSIS.com|date=January 14, 1973|access-date=March 9, 2018|archive-date=March 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180310135550/http://www.nflgsis.com/1972/Post/03/12157/Gamebook.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

{{hilite|Hall of Fame‡|#FFCC00}}

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! style="width:200px" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Miami Dolphins|year=1972|border=2}};" | Miami !! Position !! style="width:200px" style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Washington Redskins|year=1972|border=2}};" | Washington
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | '''Offense'''
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Paul Warfield]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | WR || bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Charley Taylor]]‡
|-
| [[Wayne Moore (American football)|Wayne Moore]] || style="text-align:center;" | LT || [[Terry Hermeling]] 
|-
| [[Bob Kuechenberg]] || style="text-align:center;" | LG || [[Paul Laaveg]] 
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Jim Langer]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | C || [[Len Hauss]] 
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Larry Little]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | RG || [[John Wilbur (American football)|John Wilbur]] 
|-
| [[Norm Evans]] || style="text-align:center;" | RT || [[Walt Rock]] 
|-
| [[Marv Fleming]] || style="text-align:center;" | TE || [[Jerry Smith (tight end)|Jerry Smith]] 
|-
| [[Howard Twilley]] || style="text-align:center;" | WR || [[Roy Jefferson]] 
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Bob Griese]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | QB || [[Billy Kilmer]] 
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Larry Csonka]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | FB || [[Charley Harraway]] 
|-
| [[Jim Kiick]] || style="text-align:center;" | RB || [[Larry Brown (running back)|Larry Brown]] 
|-
| colspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | '''Defense'''
|-
| [[Vern Den Herder]] || style="text-align:center;" | LE || [[Ron McDole]]
|-
| [[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]] || style="text-align:center;" | LT || [[Bill Brundige]]
|-
| [[Bob Heinz]] || style="text-align:center;" | RT || [[Diron Talbert]]
|-
| [[Bill Stanfill]] || style="text-align:center;" | RE || [[Verlon Biggs]]
|-
| [[Doug Swift]] || style="text-align:center;" | LLB || [[Jack Pardee]]
|-
| bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Nick Buoniconti]]‡ || style="text-align:center;" | MLB || [[Myron Pottios]]
|-
| [[Mike Kolen]] || style="text-align:center;" | RLB || bgcolor="#FFCC00" | [[Chris Hanburger]]‡
|-
| [[Lloyd Mumphord]] || style="text-align:center;" | LCB || [[Pat Fischer]]
|-
| [[Curtis Johnson (cornerback)|Curtis Johnson]] || style="text-align:center;" | RCB || [[Mike Bass]]
|-
| [[Dick Anderson]] || style="text-align:center;" | LS || [[Brig Owens]]
|-
| [[Jake Scott]] || style="text-align:center;" | RS || [[Roosevelt Taylor]]
|}

==Officials==
*'''Referee:''' [[Tommy Bell (American football official)|Tom Bell]] #7 second Super Bowl (III)
*'''Umpire:''' [[Lou Palazzi]] #51 second Super Bowl (IV)
*'''Head Linesman:''' Tony Veteri Sr. #36 second Super Bowl (II)
*'''Line Judge:''' [[Bruce Alford Sr.|Bruce Alford]] #24 second Super Bowl (II)
*'''Back Judge:''' [[Tom Kelleher (American football official)|Tom Kelleher]] #25 second Super Bowl (IV)
*'''Field Judge:''' Tony Skover #50 first (and only) Super Bowl
*'''Alternate Referee:''' [[Fred Silva]] #81, first Super Bowl, also alternate for Super Bowl IX; later worked Super Bowl XIV on field
*'''Alternate Umpire:''' Walt Parker #41 second Super Bowl (III), first as an alternate<ref>{{cite web | url=https://meangreensports.com/news/2010/1/25/North_Texas_Hall_of_Famer_Walt_Parker_Dies.aspx | title=North Texas Hall of Famer Walt Parker Dies | publisher=University of North Texas | access-date=November 27, 2019 | archive-date=July 4, 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190704050228/https://meangreensports.com/news/2010/1/25/North_Texas_Hall_of_Famer_Walt_Parker_Dies.aspx | url-status=live }}</ref>

''Note: A seven-official system was not used until 1978. Back Judge and Field Judge swapped titles prior to the [[1998 NFL season]].''

==Super Bowl postgame news==
As Shula was being carried off the field after the end of the game, a kid who shook his hand stripped off his watch. Shula got down, chased after the kid, and retrieved his watch.<ref name="Dave Hyde p.268">Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'' p. 268.</ref>

[[Manny Fernandez (American football)|Manny Fernandez]] was a strong contender for MVP. Wrote Nick Buoniconti, "It was the game of his life–in fact, it was the most dominant game by a defensive lineman in the history of the game, and he would never be given much credit for it. They should have given out two game balls and made Manny Fernandez the co-MVP with Jake Scott."<ref name=Buoniconti/> Larry Csonka also said he thought Fernandez should have been the MVP.<ref>Larry Csonka and Jim Kiick, with Dave Anderson, ''Always on the Run'', p. 220.</ref> The MVP was selected by [[Dick Schaap]], the editor of ''[[Sport (US magazine)|SPORT]]'' magazine. Schaap admitted later that he had been out late the previous night, struggled to watch the defense-dominated game, and was not aware that Fernandez had 17 tackles.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'', pp. 260–261.</ref>

When Garo Yepremian went back to the Dolphins' sideline after his botched field goal attempt, Nick Buoniconti told him that if they lost he would "Hang you up by one of your ties."<ref name="Dave Hyde p264"/> Yepremian would joke to reporters after the game, "This is the first time the goat of the game is in the winner's locker room."<ref name="B">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tfSmAgAAQBAJ&q=Yepremian+coin+toss&pg=PA157 | title=Placekicking in the NFL: A History and Analysis | publisher=McFarland | author=Gonsalves, Rick | year=2013 | pages=157–160| isbn=9781476600512 }}</ref> But Yepremian would be so traumatized by his botched attempt that he had to be helped from the post-game party by his brother because of a stress-induced stabbing pain down his right side. Depressed, he spent two weeks in seclusion until he was cheered up by a letter, apparently from Shula, praising him for his contributions to the team and urging him to ignore criticism. Yepremian kept the letter and mentioned it to Shula in 2000, but Shula had no knowledge of it. They concluded the letter was actually written by Shula's wife Dorothy, who died from [[breast cancer]] in 1991. She had signed her husband's name to it.<ref>Dave Hyde, ''Still Perfect!'' p.283.</ref> Nevertheless, "Garo's Gaffe" made Yepremian famous and led to a lucrative windfall of speaking engagements and endorsements. "It's been a blessing", said Yepremian, who died in 2015.<ref name="Dave Hyde p.268"/>

The same teams met 10 years later in [[Super Bowl XVII]], which was also played in the Los Angeles area, at the [[Rose Bowl (stadium)|Rose Bowl]] in [[Pasadena, California|Pasadena]]. The Redskins won that game, 27–17. Two starters from Miami's undefeated team, guard Bob Kuechenberg and defensive end Vern Den Herder, were still active during the strike-shortened [[1982 NFL season|1982 season]]. The Redskins had no players remaining from Super Bowl VII on their Super Bowl XVII roster. The last member of the 1972 Redskins still active with the franchise, offensive tackle Terry Hermeling, retired after the 1980 season.

Redskins linebacker and defensive captain Jack Pardee retired immediately following this game, ending a 16-year career. He coached the [[Chicago Bears]] for three seasons (1975–77) before succeeding Allen as Redskins coach in 1978. Pardee was fired following a 6–10 campaign in 1980 and was replaced by [[Joe Gibbs]], who led the Redskins to three Super Bowl championships ([[Super Bowl XVII|XVII]], [[Super Bowl XXII|XXII]], [[Super Bowl XXVI|XXVI]]) and 171 victories to earn induction into the [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. After coaching the [[Houston Gamblers]] of the [[United States Football League]] in 1984 and '85, Pardee coached at the [[Houston Cougars football|University of Houston]] (1987–89) and the [[Houston Oilers]] (1990–94).

The Miami Dolphins became the second team to win the Super Bowl after losing it the previous year. They were the last team to do so until the [[New England Patriots]] in [[Super Bowl LIII]].

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group="note"}}

==References and notes==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
* [http://www.superbowl.com/ Super Bowl official website]
*{{cite book | title=2006 NFL Record and Fact Book | date=July 25, 2006 | publisher=Time Inc. Home Entertainment | isbn=1-933405-32-5 | url=https://archive.org/details/2006nflrecordfac00edit }}
*{{cite book | title=Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League | date=July 25, 2006 | publisher=[[HarperCollins]] | isbn=1-933405-32-5 | url=https://archive.org/details/2006nflrecordfac00edit }}
*{{cite book | title=The Official NFL Encyclopedia Pro Football | year=1982 | publisher=NAL Books | isbn=0-453-00431-8}}
*{{cite book | title=The Sporting News Complete Super Bowl Book 1995 | isbn=0-89204-523-X | author=Sporting News | date=February 1995| publisher=Sporting News Publishing Company}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{YouTube|id=CkLiT1jV5Ms|title=Super Bowl VII: NFL Full Game}}
* https://www.pro-football-reference.com – Large online database of NFL data and statistics
* [https://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/super/superbowl-plays.htm Super Bowl play-by-plays] from ''[[USA Today]]'' (Last accessed September 28, 2005)
* [http://www.predictem.com/nfl/previous.php Past Super Bowl Matchups – Winners – Odds From Predict 'Em.com, Last Accessed May 4, 2012.]
* [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197301140mia.htm Super Bowl VII Box Score] at [[Pro Football Reference]]

{{Super Bowl}}
{{Super Bowl VII}}
{{Miami Dolphins}}
{{Washington Commanders}}
{{1972 NFL season by team}}
{{NFLC-SuperBowl}}
{{NFL on NBC}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Super Bowl 007}}
[[Category:Super Bowl]]
[[Category:Miami Dolphins postseason]]
[[Category:Washington Redskins postseason]]
[[Category:NFL in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:1972 NFL season]]
[[Category:1973 in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:American football competitions in Los Angeles]]
[[Category:January 1973 sports events in the United States]]
[[Category:1973 in sports in California]]