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Larry Csonka

Personal Info

Known For

Acting

Gender

Male

Birthday

December 25, 1946(79)

Place of Birth

Stow, Ohio, USA

Larry Csonka

Acting

Biography

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, breaki…

Known For

Filmography