A fullback of tremendous size for his time (reportedly 6'3" and 237 lbs.), Larry Csonka is the best NFL athlete to ever wear the uniform number 39.
Csonka was drafted with the eighth overall draft pick, out of Syracuse, in the 1968 draft. During Csonka's rookie season with the Miami Dolphins he suffered two concussions, a broken nose and a cracked eardrum. It was a rough start to a career that would eventually become legendary.
Larry was a bruising fullback, leading the Dolphins feared rushing attack in the early 1970s. During the 1972 regular season, Csonka teamed with Mercury Morris to gain 2,117 rushing yards (1,117 by Csonka and 1,000 by Morris), en route to the the first (and currently only) perfect NFL season (17-0).
Csonka rushed for over 1,000 yards each year between 1971 and 1973.
- 5 time Pro Bowler (1970 to 1974)
- Super Bowl VIII MVP
- 2 time Super Bowl Champion (VII and VIII)
- 8,081 career regular season rushing yards
- 64 career regular season rushing touchdowns
- Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 1987
Csonka left the NFL in 1975 to play with the WFL Memphis Southmen. After the WFL folded half-way through it's second season, Csonka joined the New York Giants where he would play for three seasons. Csonka would finish out his career with one last season as a Miami Dolphin in 1979, rushing for 837 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Did you know.........Larry Csonka's uniform number 39 is retired by the Miami Dolphins?
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