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Description
Intense, intelligent and driven, Don Shula is the "winningest Coach" in National Football League history. This former NFL player, who coached for 33 years (eight with the Baltimore Colts and twenty with the Miami Dolphins), whose teams reached the playoffs twenty times, is perhaps best known for his 1972 unprecedented "perfect season", and the only undefeated season in NFL history, when the Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins 14 - 7 in Superbowl VII. In his first year of eligibility, Shula was elected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, in Canton *, Ohio, on July 26, 1997.
Born on January 4, 1930, in Grand River, Ohio, Don Shula's name became synonymous with winning. Throughout his 45 year career as player and coach, Shula consistently demonstrated and intense drive coupled with unparallel motivational and organizational skills. In 1951, at 21 years of age, this tough, disciplined and determined defensive back broke into professional football with the National Football League's Cleveland Browns. Two years later he was with the Baltimore Colts, and in 1957 he completed his playing day with the Washington Redskins.
As a head coach for 33 years, eight with Baltimore and 20 with the Miami dolphins, Shula became the "winningest coach" in NFL history- compiling an impressive 347 record. His teams, known for their ability to play sound, fundamental and tough football, made it to the playoffs 20 times. His Baltimore Colts made it to the Superbowl in 1969 and he guided the Dolphins to Superbowl appearances in 1972, 1973, 1974, 1983 and 1985. During the 1973 season, his Dolphins made NFL history by becoming the only team to go undefeated during the regular season and playoffs and then to win the Superbowl, by defeating the Washington Redskins 14 - 7, in Superbowl VII, "The Perfect Season" and the only "Perfect Season" on NFL history. He relinquished his head coaching job with the Dolphins in 1996 and was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. In the NFL history there is no brighter or bigger "Star" then Don Shula and no nicer human being, a family man, a deeply religious man who has known personal tragedy and found spiritual strength in his faith, to face victory and defeat, and treat those who are imposters, just the same.
A successful businessman, Shula continues is long association with The national Football League and The Miami Dolphins Organization, he also owns a number of upscale restaurants, "Shula's Steak Houses" throughout the country, where he displays football motif and a number of "Pointillism" portraits from the ArtbyCoupe.com collection, including his own, and those his players.
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