Super Bowl 58 is here, and it’s set to be a good one. The Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers are facing off for the chance to be world champions until next February.
As a part of the action following the game, Miami Dolphins legend Larry Csonka will have a special role. Who is Csonka, and what is his role in the NFL’s big game?
Who Is Miami Dolphins Legend Larry Csonka?
Csonka is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame as well as the College Football Hall of Fame. Super Bowl 58 will mark 50 years since Csonka was named MVP of Super Bowl 8. In response, Csonka will be presenting the Lombardi Trophy to the winning team of the game.
Csonka was born on Dec. 25, 1946, in Stow, Ohio. He attended Stow High School, where he was the team’s starting fullback and won the Metropolitan League of Akron-area championship. He also wrestled during his high school career.
He attended Syracuse for college, despite being recruited by Clemson, Iowa, Vanderbilt, and others. He played middle linebacker in his first season before switching back to fullback from 1965 to 1967. In his career, he rushed for a school-record 2,934 yards and averaged 4.9 yards per carry.
Also in his college career, Csonka was a two-time first-team All-American, two-time first-team All-East, and one-time second-team All-East. He had his No. 39 retired by the school. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.
After yet another successful portion of his career, Csonka was drafted with the eighth overall pick in the 1968 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. He spent seven seasons with the Dolphins from 1968-1974 before going to the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League in 1975 and the New York Giants from 1976-1978.
During his time with the Dolphins, Csonka was a part of the 1972 Dolphins team that went 14-0, the only team to ever go completely undefeated. The Dolphins also won the Super Bowl the following season in 1973. Csonka finished his career with three Super Bowl appearances (1971, 1972, and 1973).
Before his retirement in 1980, Csonka returned to the Miami Dolphins in 1970 where he won Comeback Player of the Year. However, the two sides could not come to terms on a new contract, leading to his retirement following the season.
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In his 11 NFL seasons, Csonka had 1,891 carries for 8,081 yards and 64 touchdowns. He also caught 106 passes for 820 yards and four more touchdowns. He was a two-time Super Bowl champion, one-time Super Bowl MVP, two-time first-team All-Pro, one-time second-team All-Pro, and five-time Pro Bowler
Additionally, Csonka is a member of the Dolphins Honor Roll and Walk of Fame. He had his No. 39 retired by the Dolphins and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1987.
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