WASHINGTON (AP) — The 1972 Miami Dolphins have finally received their White House moment, 40 years after their historic undefeated season.

It was a long wait for a Super Bowl championship team whose feat of 17 games without a loss has been unmatched in the NFL.

President Barack Obama welcomed former team members and their then-coach, Hall of Famer Don Shula, at a White House ceremony Tuesday in recognition of their perfect season. Among those present was the team’s star fullback, Hall of Famer Larry Csonka, who made the trip from Alaska.

The ’72 Dolphins beat the Washington Redskins in the January 1973 Super Bowl. But in 1973 President Richard Nixon was preoccupied with the Watergate scandal, and White House salutes to sports teams were less of a tradition than now.