Hall-of-Fame NFL coach Don Shula, who has the most regular-season wins in league history (328) and the most total wins (347), passed away on Monday morning. The two-time Super Bowl champion and four-time Coach of the Year’s death was confirmed by one of his children and the Miami Dolphins.
“Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years,” the team wrote in a statement. “He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami in the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne and Mike.”
The Miami Dolphins are saddened to announce that Head Coach Don Shula passed away peacefully at his home this morning. pic.twitter.com/MKAtXFA4zd
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 4, 2020
Shula coached the Dolphins (17-0) to the league’s only undefeated season in 1972, capping the perfect season with a 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. Miami repeated as NFL champs the next season, knocking off the Minnesota Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of legendary @MiamiDolphins Head Coach Don Shula. #RIP pic.twitter.com/0yUdiVpOu1
— NFL Alumni (@NFLAlumni) May 4, 2020
Shula, who guided the Dolphins to five Super Bowls in all, coached the Baltimore Colts in the first Super Bowl, losing 16-7 to Joe Namath and the New York Jets.
⭐️ Most wins in NFL history (347)
⭐️ 2x Super Bowl Champion
⭐️ 4x Coach of the Year
⭐️ Coached the NFL's only perfect seasonDon Shula's legacy will live forever. Rest in Peace, Coach. pic.twitter.com/4vUu0oimXU
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 4, 2020
A former defensive back, Shula was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997. It does not appear that his death was related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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