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NFL Legend Jake Scott, Super Bowl MVP From Dolphins’ Perfect 1972 Season, Dies at 75

The former Miami Dolphins NFL safety Jake Scott passed away at 75 on Thursday.

He was born on July 20, 1945 in Greenwood, South Carolina.

Scott’s Legendary Career

According to the Miami Dolphins website, Scott played his best during the most important games of the season. Scott’s career with the Dolphins included record-breaking achievements and honors. He started playing with the Dolphins in 1970.

“He was named MVP of Super Bowl VII by recording two interceptions in Miami’s 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins. A year later, he helped the Dolphins in their 24-7 Super Bowl VIII win, recording two fumble recoveries, becoming the first player to recover two fumbles in a Super Bowl game. He is still the only player to have recovered one of his own team’s fumbles and one of his opponent’s fumbles in a Super Bowl,” the Miami Dolphins site wrote.

Scott was inducted into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll in 2010. His five consecutive Pro Ball selections are still tied for the best by any defensive player to ever play for the Dolphins.

According to AP News, Scott died after falling down a staircase that left him in a coma. This is what his former teammate Dick Anderson has reported to news outlets.

Scott Post-Football Life

After his falling out with coach Don Shula, Scott remained off the radar. Despite his impact on Dolphin football, he rarely celebrated with former team members.

“Following retirement, Scott became reclusive and harbored hard feelings toward Shula and his coach at Georgia, Vince Dooley. Scott lived for years on a remote Hawaiian island and traveled the world but seldom attended Dolphins or Bulldogs reunions,” according to AP News.

The two eventually made up back in 2010 after not speaking to each other for 28 years. The breaking point in their relationship happened after years of tension. Shula suspended Scott and then traded him to the Redskins for a different safety who would only last a year. Shula actually passed away in May 2020 from natural causes.

Scott and his friend/teammate Dick Anderson played the role of one the strongest safety duos in NFL history.

Social media users continue to give their outpouring of love and respect for the late Dolphins safety.

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