The 1972 Miami Dolphins are torn about the 2015 Carolina Panthers.
But Mercury Morris isn’t, of course.
The running back/kick returner for the undefeated squad is known for having a champagne celebration every year the last NFL team loses its shot at a perfect season. So it should come as no surprise Morris is rooting against the Panthers, who moved to 13-0 Sunday by destroying the Atlanta Falcons.
“These guys have just as much a chance to go unbeaten as they do to lose next Sunday,” Morris said per NFL.com’s Jeff Darlington. “So when they get to the end and they’re 18 and got one left, then come talk to me and I’ll tell you what I think. The biggest canyon in this country is the Grand Canyon. Do you know what the second largest canyon is? That’s my point, nobody cares.”
(It’s also important to note Morris used that canyon joke last week when talking about the 2007 New England Patriots.)
But not everyone wants the Panthers to lose. Mike Shula, son of former ’72 Dolphins coach Don Shula, just so happens to be Carolina’s offensive coordinator.
“I’m so proud of Mike, such a great young guy,” Shula said, per Darlington. “I enjoy watching all the games that I can, and hopefully (the Panthers) will be there at the end of the year. That would make me proud. I would be so proud. I would want him to do as good or more, that’s what it’s all about.”
Quarterback Bob Griese and fullback Larry Csonka also are rooting for the younger Shula and the Panthers, though Csonka admitted he probably wouldn’t be if not for the connection to his coach.
Either way, it looks as though there’ll be more champagne for Morris this year if the Panthers end up losing.
Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images
