82 minutes and 40 seconds - the longest game in NFL History on Christmas Day 1971

In 1971 the NFL experimented for the first time of holding games on Christmas Day, taking a leaf out of the book of the NBA, which had been doing the same since 1947.

It was a game that became instantly historic, and maybe not for all the right reasons.

Filled with big name stars and colourful characters, it had a bit of everything, but critically at 82 minutes and 40 seconds, it was the longest ever game in NFL history.

The Dolphins ultimately triumphed 27-24 in the playoff encounter, thanks to a quirky kicker with an unlikely background.

Here is a look back at this unforgettable matchup and its standout moments.

A clash of titans

It was a game for the ages the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs battled in an epic AFC Divisional Playoff. Both teams were at the top of their game heading into the playoff clash.

The Kansas City Chiefs, led by quarterback Len Dawson, were still riding high from their Super Bowl IV victory two years prior.

Meanwhile the Miami Dolphins, coached by Don Shula, were building a dynasty that would culminate in back-to-back Super Bowl titles – and this was the Dolphins’ chance to prove they could compete with the NFL’s elite.

Big names on the field

This game was packed with future Hall of Famers:

• Len Dawson (Chiefs): The calm and collected QB was a master at dissecting defences.
• Larry Csonka (Dolphins): A bruising fullback who ran over defenders with ease.
• Jan Stenerud (Chiefs): One of the first kickers to come from a soccer background and a consistent points scorer.
• Garo Yepremian (Dolphins): The unlikely hero of the game, Yepremian was a Cypriot-born soccer player turned NFL kicker.

These stars ensured that every play was a clash of skill and determination.

The game’s wild twists

The game had everything:

• Fast start: The Chiefs’ Ed Podolak electrified the crowd with a 78-yard kick-off return, setting up a quick score.
• Trading blows: Both teams traded touchdowns and field goals, keeping the game neck-and-neck.
• Ed Podolak’s performance: Podolak was the standout of the game, amassing an astounding 350 all-purpose yards, a playoff record that still stands.
• By the end of regulation, the teams were deadlocked at 24-24, forcing overtime.

The double overtime drama

The first overtime period was a test of endurance, with both defences digging deep to stop any scoring. As the game stretched into double overtime, fatigue set in.

Then, the Dolphins’ Garo Yepremian stepped up. Known for his quirky personality and unconventional background, Yepremian calmly nailed a 37-yard field goal, sealing the Dolphins’ victory.

Legacy of the longest game

For the Dolphins: The win propelled them to their first Super Bowl appearance, laying the groundwork for their undefeated 1972 season.

For the Chiefs: It marked the end of an era, as the team would not return to the playoffs until 1986.

The game itself set a record for the longest in NFL history and remains a benchmark for playoff drama.

Impact for the NFL

With the match taking so long, the NFL were inundated with complaints from fans that is messed up their Christmas Day festivities and timings.

It was enough to put the NFL from hosting any more games on Christmas Day until 1989.

But once they did, it was game changing, with 33 million watching the 9pm kick-off in 1989. The NFL build on this success, holding games on Christmas Day, but only when it feel on a weekend.

Since 2020 the NFL changed tact and has always scheduled games for Christmas Day, even if it does not fall on a weekend.

The average viewing figures for Christmas Day NFL games is now at 28.7million, up from 20.9m. While the NBA average has dropped from 4.5million to 2.9m last year.

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