One of my childhood heroes, Larry Csonka was born in Stow Ohio on Christmas Day 1946. He was All American at Syracuse University and was the first round draft pick of the Miami Dolphins in 1968. Zonk became the most powerful running back in the NFL, punishing his would be tacklers with his upper cut blocks, and bull dozing his way through defenses. He rarely fumbled & was excellent blocker. He was even more famous for dragging defenders with him once they actually did grab hold of him. He once got a personal foul penalty for knocking out a Bills tackler with a fore arm upper cut.
Csonka earned the MVP award of the Dolphins' Super Bowl VIII victory over the Minnesota Vikings by rushing 33 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. In 1973, he was voted Super Athlete of the Year by the Professional Football Writers Association.
In 1979 he returned to the Dolphins and led the team with 837 yards rushing. He retired with Miami in 1980 with 6,736 rushing yards, still the all time Dolphin record. Overall in his career he ran for 64 touch downs, and 8081 yards placing him in the top 20 all time. He was elected to the Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his #39 is retired by the Dolphins and he was named to the All Time NFL Dream Team.
Csonka appeared in numerous TV shows through the years, played a small part in the movie Midway (1976, worked in the USFL & was a commentator on American Gladiators. He is currently a motivational speaker, hosts hunting & fishing shows on OLN, and lives in Anchorage Alaska.
His rookie year was tough, he spent two days in the hospital due to a conc
ussion & then cracked an eardrum & broke his nose three weeks later. He got tougher himself and never missed another game in his career. From 1971-1973, he led the Dolphins to three Super Bowl appearances, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors along the way. He and halfback Jim Kiick were affectionately known as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Csonka & back Mercury Morris were the first team mates to both rush for over 1000 yards in the same season, also in 1972. All were key to the Dolphins' perfect 17-0 perfect season that year.
ussion & then cracked an eardrum & broke his nose three weeks later. He got tougher himself and never missed another game in his career. From 1971-1973, he led the Dolphins to three Super Bowl appearances, earning All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors along the way. He and halfback Jim Kiick were affectionately known as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Csonka & back Mercury Morris were the first team mates to both rush for over 1000 yards in the same season, also in 1972. All were key to the Dolphins' perfect 17-0 perfect season that year. Csonka & Kick were featured on a August 1972 cover of Sports Illustrated and Zonk is pictured sitting down, nonchalantly giving the middle finger to the camera.
Csonka earned the MVP award of the Dolphins' Super Bowl VIII victory over the Minnesota Vikings by rushing 33 times for 145 yards and two touchdowns. In 1973, he was voted Super Athlete of the Year by the Professional Football Writers Association. After a 1974 contract dispute Zonk, Kick, & wide receiver Paul Warfield made big news, leaving Miami for the short lived World Football League. In 1976 he joined the NY Giants and former Dolphins Defensive Coordinator Bill Arnsparger, in their new home at the Meadowlands. Big expectations for the Giants didn't pan out as he suffered knee injuries cutting his seasons short. He blamed the Giants Stadium artificial turf for his injuries. Csonka was intended to rush the ball on the infamous 1978 play called The Miracle at the Meadowlands. QB Joe Pisarcik fumbled the ball to the Eagles and had it run back for a touch down, instead of kneeling on the play to let the clock run out.
In 1979 he returned to the Dolphins and led the team with 837 yards rushing. He retired with Miami in 1980 with 6,736 rushing yards, still the all time Dolphin record. Overall in his career he ran for 64 touch downs, and 8081 yards placing him in the top 20 all time. He was elected to the Football Hall of Fame in 1987, his #39 is retired by the Dolphins and he was named to the All Time NFL Dream Team.Csonka appeared in numerous TV shows through the years, played a small part in the movie Midway (1976, worked in the USFL & was a commentator on American Gladiators. He is currently a motivational speaker, hosts hunting & fishing shows on OLN, and lives in Anchorage Alaska.
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