Rise of the Dolphins by Dave Morine

Starting in 1970, Coach Don Shula turned the Miami Dolphins from being the perennial doormat of the NFL into one of the most dominant teams ever to play in the NFL. At the same time, Pete Rozelle, the NFL's Commissioner, was changing the enterprise from being just a football league into one of the greatest entertainment businesses in the world. In Rise of the Dolphins, these two events are seen through the eyes of Doug Swift, the unlikely starting strongside linebacker for the Dolphins' famous 1970-1975 "No Name Defense." For old fans, Swift's recollections will bring back memories of many of the League's biggest stars and some of the greatest games ever played — not only in the '70s, but also in the entire history of the NFL. For current fans, Rise of the Dolphins will connect many of the dots about how the NFL got to where it is today. Either way, this book is an interesting, insightful, and at times humorous read for anyone who cares about football and the NFL.