It Never Stops Being Cool

As the New England Patriots begin their journey toward Super Bowl XLII, it should be pointed out that John Carroll University -- or as sportcasters like to refer to it as TINY John Carroll University -- has made an indelible impact on the National Football League that few small colleges can claim.

The only two times that a team in the NFL has gone through an entire regular season without a loss, there was a former Blue Streak on the coaching staff who figured prominently in the achievement.

That is a fact that never stops being cool.

Following the 1971 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins made their first appearance in a Super Bowl. The young Dolphins had posted a 10-3-1 record in the franchise’s sixth year of existence, but fell hard in a 24-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl VI.

No one expected what the young team accomplished in 1972. A promising campaign seemingly was lost when starting quarterback Bob Griese went down with a broken leg during just the fifth game of the season. However, under the guidance of John Carroll graduate Don Shula, the Dolphins rallied behind journeyman Earl Morrall and posted an unprecedented 17-0 record, culminated by a 14-7 victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

Don Shula being a John Carroll graduate never stops being cool.

It was not until 2007 that another team was able to match the Dolphins’ feat. The New England Patriots, with John Carroll alums John McDaniels serving as offensive coordinator and Nick Caserio as the receivers coach, have put together a 16-0 regular season.

Although the playoffs and Super Bowl are still to be played as of this writing, the Patriots still have the disntiction of being only the second team ever to go through an NFL regular season unscathed.

Every time Josh McDaniels' picture pops up on television, it never stops being cool.

It is the same way when the Washington Redskins play on national television, or before that Buffalo and St. Louis. It doesn't even matter who wins or loses the game (unless you are a fan of that team). The best part of the game is when the starting line-up is allowed to introduce themselves, and they get to say their name and where they went to school.

"London Fletcher, John Carroll University"

That never stops being cool, especially when you are in a room full of people who had know idea that you and London Fletcher share an alma mater.

Even better if someone in the room is from Mount Union College.

John Carroll graduates, we can hold our heads high this NFL postseason. One of our own as an acknowledged leader of the Redskins helped his team overcome the devastating murder of a teammate to reach the playoffs. Another two grads are on the coaching staff of the 16-0 New England Patriots. And lets not forget the front office gurus/JCU graduates Chris Polian, Tom Telesco and David Caldwell , all of whom have had a hand in building the defending Super Bowl champion Indianapolis Colts.

Not bad for TINY John Carroll University.

In fact, when you get right down to it, its pretty cool.