The stage is set, with the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LVII. One of them will be the NFL’s 2023 champion. But neither will match the 1972 Miami Dolphins.
On Thursday, February 9, at 7 pm, longtime ESPN reporter and E60 host Jeremy Schaap will return to The Westport Library to screen his new film, The Perfect Machine, a look back at the ’72 Dolphins, who a half-century ago won Super Bowl VII to complete the only undefeated season in NFL history.
Schaap, an 11-time Emmy Award winner for his work as a sports reporter and investigative journalist, will also host a talk after the screening, to be held in the Library’s Trefz Forum.
Those interested in attending can reserve their seats here. The event is free of charge to all patrons.
“We're thrilled to present this special screening of The Perfect Machine, about the only undefeated team ever in the NFL,” Schaap said. “More than a great team, the 1972 Dolphins were also a collection of great personalities — and director Dan Lindberg captured the essence of it all.”
The Perfect Machine is an E60 production featuring live footage of the 1972 season mixed with live interviews. In all, Schaap spoke with 16 living members of the team as well as a number of NFL luminaries, a group that included Pro Football Hall of Famers Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka, Larry Little, Bob Griese, and Joe Namath.
“To this day, the 1972 Dolphins remain one of the most famous teams in sports history,” said Bill Harmer, Westport Library executive director. “To have Jeremy back at the Library to share their story with our patrons, and just days before Super Bowl LVII, is an awesome experience for anyone who follows football and everyone who loves sports and great storytelling.”
Those looking to learn more about the Super Bowl can check out the Library’s newest reference guide covering the game and its history.