Super Bowl XXVII : THROUGH THE YEARS : Footnotes To History : VII : MIKE BASS : WASHINGTON REDSKINS

From where he sits at the front desk of his resort in the Bahamas, Mike Bass can laugh about it now.

He holds the record for the longest fumble return in Super Bowl history, yet all anybody remembers is the name of the guy who fumbled.

“When they think about that play, all anybody thinks about is Garo Yepremian,” Bass said. “Well, at least I know if somebody breaks the record, they will never do it like we did it.”

Perhaps no Super Bowl play will ever match both the drama and hilarity of Bass’ 49-yard touchdown return with a ball that Yepremian, a kicker, was attempting to throw late in the Dolphins’ 14-7 victory in Super Bowl VII at the Coliseum.

It was an imperfect ending to the Dolphins’ perfect season. The play may have since set another record--for the most appearances on Super Bowl highlight shows.

“I am constantly reminded about it every year at this time,” said Bass, a former Redskin cornerback. “And every year, I play it over and over again in my mind.”

Bass said he was only jogging toward Yepremian just before his 42-yard field goal attempt with two minutes left in the game.

“I was just looking for the ball if it got blocked,” he said. “But then it got blocked back to him and he picked it up, and then I was looking for the fumble.”

Bass couldn’t believe what he saw next.

“It surprised the hell out of me that all of a sudden, he was trying to throw the ball,” Bass said. “It fell out of his hand, he batted it up, and it wasn’t that hard to outjump him and get it.”

Bass said he is proudest of what happened next. He scored by outrunning the pursuit of holder Earl Morrall.

“I never would have lived it down if a quarterback beat me,” he said. “Especially an old quarterback.”

Bass, however, said he had a difficult time living down the loss. He has not attended a football game since retiring three years later.

“Sure, I’ve got a ring in my house, but it’s just an NFC championship ring, a losers’ ring,” he said.

* 1973 AT COLISEUM

Miami 7 7 0 0 -- 14 Washington 0 0 0 7 -- 7

Mia--Twilley 28 pass from Griese (Yepremian kick)

Mia--Kiick 1 run (Yepremian kick)

Wash--Bass 49 fumble recovery (Knight kick)

A--90,182

Winning Coach--Don Shula

MVP--Jake Scott