According to Steven Wine of the Associated Press on Monday, former Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula of Grand River, Ohio passed away at the age of 90. The cause of death is not known at this time, however according to the Los Angeles Times, it was not related to coronavirus.
Shula, who owned a steakhouse chain in the Florida region, was helping prepare meals to first responders, healthcare workers, and families in need during the pandemic over the last month. He volunteered alongside former Dolphins linebacker John Offerdahl of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, former Dolphins linebacker and defensive end Kim Bokamper of San Diego, California, and Dolphins linebacker Bob Brudzinski of Fremont, Ohio. Offerdahl, Bokamper, and Brudzinski also own restaurants.
One of the most legendary NFL coaches of all-time, Shula was the head coach of the Baltimore Colts from 1963 to 1969 and the Dolphins from 1970 to 1995. He posted a record of 328 wins, 156 losses, and six ties over 33 NFL seasons. When he joined the Colts in 1963, Shula set the record for being the youngest coach in NFL history at the age of 33.
However it is over two seasons in Miami where Shula will be remembered as legendary. In 1972, Shula led the Dolphins to a perfect season. The Dolphins had a record of 14 wins and zero losses and then had a perfect record of three wins and zero losses in the playoffs. When the Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII, Miami became the first and only team ever in NFL history to go through an entire season (regular season and playoffs) undefeated. Miami then defended their Super Bowl title the following season as the Dolphins beat the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII.
Shula also holds the NFL record for most regular season wins as a head coach (328). He has 10 more wins than George Halas, who won 318 games with the Chicago Bears from 1920 to 1967.
As a player, Shula was a defensive back for seven NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts and Washington Redskins from 1951 to 1957. In 73 games, he had 21 interceptions for 267 yards and four fumble recoveries for 32 yards.
