Larry Csonka on perfect season in Miami and hanging out with Elvis

In The Front Row with Mike Vaccaro

Csonka was raised on a farm outside Akron, OH. He joined the football team in the 7th grade, but soon quit because he didn’t like getting hit. A coach re-introduced Larry to the sport when he got in trouble and Larry eventually learned how to play the game. Csonka began playing on the defensive side of the ball at Stow High School in the early 1960s before a chance encounter set him on his path as a running back. After high school, he played at Syracuse University for WWII hero Ben Schwartzwalder. Playing alongside Floyd Little and Tom Coughlin, Csonka set a school rushing record while breaking records previously held by former Orangemen Jim Brown and Ernie Davis. In 1968, Csonka was drafted 8th overall by the Miami Dolphins and developed into a punishing running back when Don Shula took over as head coach in 1970. Despite a sometimes rocky relationship, Csonka and Shula would help the Dolphins lead the NFL in rushing and lead Miami to two consecutive Super Bowl victories including Super Bowl VII which ended in a perfect season in 1972. The following season, Csonka was MVP in Super Bowl VIII after leading Miami to a second title. Csonka would eventually leave the NFL for the World Football League where he played in Memphis. After the WFL folded, Csonka went back to the NFL spending time with the New York Giants before a return to the Dolphins where his career would end after the 1979 season. Following retirement, Csonka would host a number of hunting and fishing shows including “North to Alaska” with long-time partner Audrey Bradshaw. A 1987 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee, Csonka shares his journey with us including how he became good friends with Elvis Presley and what led to him writing his new book “Head On: A Memoir” (You can order the book at https://larrycsonka.com/head-on-larry-csonka/).