Don Shula Rooting For Son Mike To Match Dolphins Perfect Season
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – It's become an annual NFL tradition that only fans of the Miami Dolphins seem to enjoy.
Every year, after the last undefeated team in the league takes their first loss, members of the 1972 Dolphins get together to pop champagne.
It's not to celebrate the team that just lost, but more to recognize that their amazing feat of a 17-0 perfect season is still a record that belongs to only them.
This year however, one of those '72 Dolphins is actually rooting for someone to match their impressive, unblemished mark. And it's one of the people who have most defended Miami's perfect season.
Former Dolphins head coach Don Shula, the winningest coach in NFL history with a whopping 328 victories to his name, would be happy to see the Carolina Panthers continue their undefeated season all the way to Super Bowl 50.
If you're wondering why, it's as simple as the phrase 'blood is thicker than water'.
Don Shula's son, Mike Shula, is the offensive coordinator for the Panthers and has been for the past three seasons, following a stint as their quarterbacks coach that began in 2011.
"That would make me so proud if that happened," said Don Shula, via Scott Fowler of the Charlotte Observer. "I'd love to see the Panthers do it. I'm rooting them on, that's for sure."
The elder Shula commented that his son is "calm and cool," adding that he is "not hot-headed like the old man."
The Panthers are one of three remaining undefeated teams, with the Patriots and Bengals also sitting at 8-0.
Never before have there been three teams in the NFL without a loss at the halfway point of the season.
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Watch Miami take on the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. on CBS4, your official Dolphins station!
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