Larry Csonka

Stow, Ohio, USA

Larry Csonka established himself as one of the most punishing runners in NFL history, powering the Miami Dolphins to back-to-back Super Bowl championships and remaining the franchise's all-time leading rusher. Born on December 25, 1946, in Stow, Ohio, Csonka attended Stow High School, where he became a running back by accident when he was substituted on the kickoff return team as a defensive end. After running over two tacklers, he discovered his calling: "I got a tremendous feeling carrying the ball. I loved it." At Syracuse University (1965-1967), he rushed for a school-record 2,934 yards, breaking marks held by Jim Brown, Ernie Davis, and Floyd Little while earning unanimous All-American honors in 1967.

Drafted eighth overall by Miami in 1968, Csonka overcame his early career concussions to become the cornerstone of Don Shula's ball-control offense. Over eleven NFL seasons, he accumulated 8,081 rushing yards and 64 touchdowns, earning five Pro Bowl selections (1970-1974) and three first-team All-Pro honors (1971-1973). He remains Miami's all-time leading rusher with 6,737 yards and 53 touchdowns, with his number 39 retired in 2002.

Csonka's playing strengths defined battering-ram football: a massive 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame among the era's biggest backs; choosing to run through defenders rather than around them; exceptional ball security, fumbling only 21 times in 1,891 career carries; powerful legs dragging tacklers 5-10 yards after contact; legendary toughness, breaking his nose ten times while playing with blood pouring from it.