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A classic line-smashing fullback, Larry Csonka provided the major rushing thrust in Miami's vaunted
ball-control offense when the Dolphins were dominating the National Football League in the early 1970s.
A consensus All-America at Syracuse and the Dolphins' number-one draft pick in 1968, Csonka contributed
almost picture-perfect performances during Miami's three Super Bowl seasons in 1971,1972, and 1973.
Csonka surpasses 1,000 yards in rushing all three seasons with his best production--1,117 yards--
coming during Miami's perfect season in 1972. All-AFC three straight seasons (1971-73) and all-pro
in 1971, Csonka was selected to play in five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1970-74, although injuries forced him to miss two of those games.
Perhaps his best single-game effort came in Super Bowl VIII against Minnesota, when he was selected as
the most valuable player. Miami's powerful attack was at its best with Csonka carrying 33 times
for a then-Super Bowl-record 145 yards and 2 touchdowns. He wound up his 11-year AFL-NFL career
with 8,081 yards rushing. Extremely sure handed, he fumbled only 21 of his 1,997 career ball-handling opportunities.
Csonka startled pro football by playing out his option with Miami in 1974 to join the Memphis
Southmen of the World Football League. When the WFL folded, he joined the Giants as a free agent in 1976.
He enjoyed moderate success for three seasons with the Giants before returning to the Dolphins for
a final 1979 season. | 
