Legendary Coach Don Shula has Passed Away
If I had Doc Brown’s time machine in the future, the one year that I would not like to revisit in 2020. We ha a global pandemic, thousands of lives lost, an economy in shambles, millions of people out of work, no sports, Murder Hornets, and now one of the greatest coaches in the history of the NFL, Don Shula has passed away. And that is all within the first four months of the year. We can only hope that it gets better for the rest of the year.
Don Shula is one of the greatest coaches to ever roam the sidelines and he is the winningest coach in NFL history, posting 328 wins in 33 years with the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Colts. Shula won five championships as a coach and led the Dolphins to a perfect 17-0 record in the 1972 season. That is still the only undefeated season by a team in the history of the NFL. The 90-year-old legend was 328-156-6 in his coaching career and had just two, count them, two losing seasons in 33 years.
He did begin his career in the NFL as a player for the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins. Shula was a defensive back and played in 73 games over seven seasons, accumulating 21 INTs and four fumble recoveries over that span. Don will be missed in many ways and his importance of the growth of the NFL can not be understated. He put the Dolphins on the map by bringing a winning culture to the city of Miami.
"The game has lost one of the greats today, but we have all lost a truly incredible man," Pro Football Hall of Fame president David Baker said. "Hall of Fame coach Don Shula served as an ambassador for this great game for more than half a century. His legendary feats on the gridiron led him to a record 347 wins to become the winningest coach in NFL history and allowed him to lead the 1972 Dolphins to the only perfect season in NFL history.
"Coach Shula was a man who truly loved the game and I have often been moved by the deep respect and affection he was always afforded by the men who played for him.
"The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Coach Shula. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Mary Anne and their entire family. The Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-staff and we will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as an inspiration to future generations."
Don passed away peacefully at his home and his cause of death has not yet been disclosed. Shula is survived by his wife, Mary Anne, daughters, Donna, Sharon, and Anne, sons Dave and Mike, and 16 grandchildren.
Rest In Peace Mr. Shula