Miami Dolphins in History

Events in Sport

Sports History

1965-08-16 American Football League's 9th franchise is officially awarded to Joe Robbie and television star Danny Thomas; Miami Dolphins start play in AFL's Eastern Division in 1966

  • 1971-12-25 Longest game in NFL history as Miami Dolphins beat KC Chiefs, 27-24 in 2OT in AFL playoff game; duration: 82 minutes and 40 seconds
  • 1972-01-02 AFC Championship, Miami Orange Bowl: Miami Dolphins beat Baltimore Colts, 21-0
  • 1972-01-16 Super Bowl VI, Tulane Stadium, New Orleans, LA: Dallas Cowboys beat Miami Dolphins, 24-3; MVP: Roger Staubach, Dallas, QB
  • 1972-12-16 Miami Dolphins become 1st undefeated NFL team (14-0-0)
  • 1972-12-31 AFC Championship, Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh: Miami Dolphins beat Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-7
  • 1973-01-14 Super Bowl VII, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA: Miami Dolphins beat Washington Redskins, 14-7; MVP: Jake Scott, Miami, S

Dolphins Defeat Raiders

1973-12-30 AFC Championship, Miami Orange Bowl: Miami Dolphins beat Oakland Raiders, 27-10

  • 1974-01-13 Super Bowl VIII, Rice Stadium, Houston, TX: Miami Dolphins beat Minnesota Vikings, 24-7; MVP: Larry Csonka, Miami, RB
  • 1974-01-20 24th NFL Pro Bowl, Arrowhead Stadium, KC, Missouri: AFC beats NFC, 15-13; MVP: Garo Yepremian, Miami Dolphins, PK
  • 1977-11-24 Miami Dolphins quarterback Bob Greise passes for 6 touchdowns in a 55-14 win over Cardinals in St. Louis
  • 1982-01-02 "The Epic in Miami", in 85 degree heat (Fahrenheit), the San Diego Chargers defeat the Miami Dolphins 41-38 in overtime in the AFC Divisional Playoff Game, a game that set numerous playoff scoring records
  • 1983-01-23 "Mud Bowl", Miami Dolphins beat the New York Jets 14-0 in the AFC Championship Game on a wet, muddy field, which negated the Jets significant speed and skill advantage
  • 1983-01-23 AFC Championship, Miami Orange Bowl: Miami Dolphins beat New York Jets, 14-0
  • 1983-01-30 Super Bowl XVII, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA: Washington Redskins beat Miami Dolphins, 27-17; MVP: John Riggins, Washington, RB
  • 1985-01-06 AFC Championship, Miami Orange Bowl: Miami Dolphins beat Pittsburgh Steelers, 45-28

Super Bowl XIX

1985-01-20 Super Bowl XIX, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA: San Francisco 49ers beat Miami Dolphins, 38-16; MVP: Joe Montana, SF, QB

Sports History

1985-10-14 New York Jets retire Joe Namath's #12 on nationally televised Monday Night Football; beat Miami Dolphins, 23-7

Chicago's Only Loss

1985-12-02 Chicago Bears' head coach Mike Ditka and defensive coordinator Buddy Ryan almost come to blows at halftime in a 38-24 loss to the Miami Dolphins at the Orange Bowl, Miami; Chicago's only loss of the NFL season

Marino vs. Elway

1985-12-02 NFL quarterback legends Dan Marino and John Elway (Denver Broncos) face each other for the first time, a 30-26 win for Marino's Miami Dolphins (390 yards and 3 TDs)

  • 1986-01-12 AFC Championship, Miami Orange Bowl: New England Patriots beat Miami Dolphins, 31-14
  • 1986-09-21 NY Jets beat Miami Dolphins 51-45 in OT; record 884 passing yards
  • 1988-07-31 Miami Dolphins beat San Francisco 49ers, 27-21 in the American Bowl at London's Wembley Stadium

Sports History

1991-09-22 Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula records his 300th career NFL victory

  • 1992-11-01 NY Jets wide receiver Al Toon becomes 10th NFL player to make a reception in 100 straight games; Jets beat Miami Dolphins, 26-24 at The Meadowlands

Jerry Rice's Record Touchdown

1992-12-06 San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice catches NFL record 101st touchdown in a 27-3 win over Miami Dolphins at Candlestick Park

  • 1993-01-17 AFC Championship, Joe Robbie Stadium, Miami: Buffalo Bills beat Miami Dolphins, 29-10
  • 1996-01-05 Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula announces his retirement

Coach Johnson

1996-01-10 Jimmy Johnson announced as new coach of Miami Dolphins

  • 1998-11-01 Steve Young and Jerry Rice hook up for their 80th career touchdown in Niners' 36-22 loss to GB Packers at Lambeau Field; eclipse previous NFL mark held by Miami Dolphins tandem Dan Marino & Mark Clayton
  • 2000-09-17 Dan Marino's #13 jersey is retired by the Miami Dolphins
  • 2000-10-23 "Monday Night Miracle", down 30-7 at the end of the third quarter, New York Jets pull together an improbable comeback with 4 touchdowns and a field goal in the fourth quarter, eventually defeating the Miami Dolphins 40-37 in overtime
  • 2003-02-02 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: AFC beats NFC, 45-23; MVP: Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins, RB
  • 2007-01-03 High profile Miami Dolphins NFL head coach Nick Saban resigns after agreeing to return to college football and take head coaching job at Alabama
  • 2008-04-26 NFL Draft: University of Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long first pick by Miami Dolphins
  • 2012-01-29 NFL Pro Bowl, Aloha Stadium, Honolulu, HI: AFC beats NFC, 59-41; MVP: Brandon Marshall, Miami Dolphins, WR

Brady Breaks Manning Record

2018-12-09 New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady breaks Peyton Manning's record for most touchdown passes in NFL history; moves to 582 with 3 TD passes during 34-33 defeat by Miami Dolphins; record includes TDs thrown in regular season & post-season


Birthdays in Sport

Don Shula (1930-2020)

1930-01-04 American Pro Football Hall of Fame coach (Super Bowl 1972, 73; Miami Dolphins; Baltimore Colts; NFL Coach of the Year 1964, 67, 68, 72), born in Grand River Ohio

  • 1934-05-17 Earl Morrall, American NFL quarterback (Super Bowl 1970, 72, 73; Pro Bowl 1957, 68; First-team All-Pro 1968, 72; NFL MVP 1968; Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins), born in Muskegon, Michigan (d. 2014)
  • 1938-12-29 Wayne Huizenga, American businessman, CEO (Waste Management, Blockbuster), and sports team owner (Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Florida Marlins), born in Evergreen Park, Illinois (d. 2018)
  • 1940-07-04 Hank Goldberg, American sports broadcaster (radio color commentator Miami Dolphins, 1978-92; ESPN2; ESPN Radio), born in Newark, New Jersey (d. 2022)
  • 1940-12-15 Nick Buoniconti, American NFL linebacker (Miami Dolphins) and sportscaster (NBC), born in Springfield, Massachusetts (d. 2019)
  • 1942-11-28 Paul Warfield, American NFL/WFL wide receiver, 1964-77, 8X Pro-Bowl (Cleveland Browns, Miami Dolphins, Memphis Southmen), born in Warren, Ohio

Jimmy Johnson (80 years old)

1943-07-16 American College-Pro Football HOF coach (National C'ship 1987 Uni of Miami; Super Bowl XXVII, XXVIII Dallas Cowboys; Miami Dolphins), born in Port Arthur, Texas

  • 1944-06-02 Garo Yepremian, American NFL place kicker (Miami Dolphins), born in Larnaca, Cyprus (d. 2015)
  • 1945-02-03 Bob Griese, NFL quarterback (Miami Dolphins, 1971 Player of Year)
  • 1945-07-20 Jake Scott, American College Football Hall of Fame safety (Uni of Georgia; 5×Pro Bowl; 2×First-team All-Pro; Super Bowl 1972 [MVP], 73; Miami Dolphins), born in Greenwood, South Carolina (d. 2020)
  • 1945-09-10 Marlin Briscoe, American College Football HOF quarterback/wide receiver (Uni Nebraska–Omaha; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; Pro Bowl 1970 Buffalo Bills), born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 2022)
  • 1945-11-02 Larry Little, American Pro Football Hall of Fame guard (5-time Pro Bowl; Super Bowl 1972-73; Miami Dolphins), born in Groveland, Georgia
  • 1946-08-09 Jim Kiick, American football running back (Super Bowl 1972, 73; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; Miami Dolphins), born in Lincoln Park, New Jersey (d. 2020)
  • 1946-12-25 Larry Csonka, American College/Pro Football HOF running back (Super Bowl 1972, 73 [MVP]; First-team All-Pro 1971, 73; 5 × Pro Bowl; Miami Dolphins; Syracuse Uni), born in Stow, Ohio
  • 1947-10-14 Bob Kuechenberg, American football guard (6 x Pro Bowl; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; First-team All-Pro 1975, 78), born in Gary, Indiana (d. 2019)
  • 1948-01-22 Tim Foley, American football defensive back (Super Bowl VII, VIII; Pro Bowl 1979; Miami Dolphins), born in Evanston, Illinois (d. 2023)
  • 1951-10-31 Nick Saban, American football coach (National NCAA C'ships 2003, 09, 11-12, 15, 17; LSU, Alabama, Miami Dolphins), born in Fairmont, West Virginia
  • 1956-11-29 Eric Laakso, American NFL player (Miami Dolphins), born in New York City
  • 1961-07-30 Reggie Roby, American football punter (3 × Pro Bowl; All-Pro 1984, 94; NFL 1980s All-Decade Team; Miami Dolphins), born in Waterloo, Iowa (d. 2005)

Dan Marino (62 years old)

1961-09-15 American College/Pro Football HOF quarterback (Uni of Pittsburgh; 9 x Pro Bowl; NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1984; 3 x First Team All Pro; Miami Dolphins), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

  • 1961-10-07 Tony Sparano, American football coach (Miami Dolphins 2008-11; Oakland Raiders 2014), born in West Haven, Connecticut (d. 2018)
  • 1962-05-01 Gary Clark, American NFL wide receiver, 1984-95 (Super Bowl 1987, 91; Washington Redskins; Pro Bowl 1986, 87, 90, 91; All-Pro 1986, 87, 91), born in Radford, Virginia
  • 1962-09-28 Irving Fryar, American NFL wide receiver (5-time Pro Bowl, #1 pick 1984 Draft), born in Mount Holly Township, New jersey
  • 1963-10-14 Keith Byars, American College Football HOF running back (Ohio State Uni; Pro Bowl 1993 Miami Dolphins), born in Dayton, Ohio
  • 1963-11-25 Bernie Kosar, American football quarterback (Super Bowl 1993 Dallas Cowboys; Pro Bowl 1987, 89 Cleveland Browns), born in Youngstown, Ohio
  • 1965-10-05 Trace Armstrong, American football defensive end (Pro Bowl 2000 Miami Dolphins), born in Bethesda, Maryland
  • 1966-03-25 Jeff Cross, American football defensive end (Pro Bowl 1990 Miami Dolphins), born in Blythe, California
  • 1966-05-16 Thurman Thomas, American College/Pro Football HOF running back (Oklahoma State Uni; NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year 1991; First-team All-Pro 1990, 91; 5 x Pro Bowl; Buffalo Bills), born in Houston, Texas
  • 1967-01-11 Richmond Webb, American football tackle (7 × Pro Bowl; First Team All-Pro 1992, 94; Miami Dolphins), born in Dallas, Texas
  • 1967-04-28 Pete Stoyanovich, American football placekicker (All Pro 1992; PFW Golden Toe Award 1997; Miami Dolphins, KC Chiefs), born in Dearborn Heights, Michigan
  • 1967-06-17 Keith Sims, American football offensive guard (Pro Bowl 1993–95; Miami Dolphins, Washington Redskins), born in Baltimore, Maryland
  • 1967-06-22 Eric Green, American football tight end (Pro Bowl 1993, 94 Pittsburgh Steelers; Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens), born in Savannah, Georgia
  • 1967-09-16 Bernie Parmalee, American football running back and coach (Miami Dolphins, NY Jets), born in Jersey City, New Jersey
  • 1968-01-02 Scott Mitchell, American football quarterback (Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals), born in Salt Lake City, Utah
  • 1968-02-17 Bryan Cox, American NFL linebacker and coach (Pro Bowl 1992, 94, 95; Super Bowl 2001 NE Patriots; Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears), born in East St. Louis, Illinois
  • 1969-09-24 Andrew Greene, Canadian football guard (NFL: Miami Dolphins; 4 x CFL All Star, Saskatchewan Roughriders), born in Kingston, Jamaica
  • 1969-12-02 O. J. McDuffie, American football wide receiver (NFL receptions leader 1998; Miami Dolphins), born in Marion, Ohio
  • 1970-04-16 Steve Emtman, American College Football HOF defensive tackle (University of Washington; 1992 NFL Draft Pick #1 Indianapolis Colts), born in Spokane, Washington
  • 1970-06-08 Troy Vincent, American football cornerback (5 x Pro Bowl; First-team All-Pro 2002; Philadelphia Eagles) and executive (VP Football Operations NFL), born in Trenton, New Jersey
  • 1970-06-11 Brock Marion, American football safety (Super Bowl 1993, 95 Dallas Cowboys; Pro Bowl 2000, 02, 03 Miami Dolphins), born in Wheeling, West Virginia
  • 1971-05-01 Ethan Albright, American NFL long-snapper (Pro Bowl 2007; Washington Redskins), born in Greensboro, North Carolina
  • 1972-03-27 Kirby Dar Dar, American NFL wide receiver (Miami Dolphins), born in Morgan City, Louisiana
  • 1972-04-27 Tim Ruddy, American football offensive lineman (Miami Dolphins), born in Dunmore, Pennsylvania
  • 1972-06-26 Jerris McPhail, American football running back (Miami Dolphins), born in Clinton, North Carolina
  • 1972-10-28 Calvin Jackson, NFL cornerback (Miami Dolphins)
  • 1972-12-28 Jim Kitts, US NFL running back (Frankfurt Galaxy, Miami Dolphins), born in Portsmouth, Virginia
  • 1973-02-07 Tim Bowens, American football defensive tackle (Pro Bowl 1998, 2002; NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 1994; Miami Dolphins), born in Okolona, Mississippi
  • 1973-06-06 Olindo Mare, American football kicker (Pro Bowl, All-Pro 1999; Miami Dolphins), born in Hollywood, Florida
  • 1973-09-01 Zach Thomas, American College/Pro Football HOF middle linebacker (Texas Tech; 7 × Pro Bowl; 5 × First-team All-Pro; Miami Dolphins), born in Pampa, Texas
  • 1974-04-23 Sam Madison, American football cornerback (Super Bowl 2007 NY Giants; 4× Pro Bowl; First Team All-Pro 1999, 2000; Miami Dolphins), born in Thomasville, Georgia
  • 1974-09-01 Jason Taylor, American Pro Football HOF linebacker (NFL Defensive Player of the Year 2006; 6 × Pro Bowl 2000, 02, 04–07; All-Pro 2000, 02, 06; Miami Dolphins), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • 1977-05-21 Ricky Williams, American College Football Hall of Fame running back (Heisman Trophy 1998, U of Texas; Pro Bowl 2002, Miami Dolphins), born in San Diego, California
  • 1980-01-22 Jake Grove, American NFL football player, 2004-10 (Oakland Raiders, Miami Dolphins), born in Johnson City, Tennessee
  • 1984-05-21 Brandon Fields, American football punter (Second-team All-Pro & Pro Bowl 2013; Miami Dolphins), born in Southfield, Michigan
  • 1986-08-24 Arian Foster, American football running back (First-team All-Pro 2010, 12; 4 × Pro Bowl; NFL rushing TD leader 2010, 12; Houston Texans, Miami Dolphins), born in Albuquerque, New Mexico
  • 1988-07-27 Ryan Tannehill III, American football quarterback (Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans; NFL passer rating leader 2019), born in Lubbock, Texas
  • 1992-12-11 Jacoby Brissett, American NFL player (Miami Dolphins), born in West Palm Beach, Florida
  • 1994-10-24 Jalen Ramsey, American NFL cornerback (Jacksonville Jaguars, LA Rams, Miami Dolphins), born in Smyrna, Tennessee

Weddings in Sport

Jimmy Johnson

1999-07-18 Miami Dolphins coach Jimmy Johnson (56) weds longtime girlfriend Rhonda Rookmaaker (45) in the Florida Keys

Deaths in Sport

  • 1990-01-07 Joseph Robbie, American lawyer and NFL owner and founder of the Miami Dolphins, dies at 73
  • 2005-02-22 Reggie Roby, American football punter (3 × Pro Bowl; All-Pro 1984, 94; NFL 1980s All-Decade Team; Miami Dolphins), dies from a heart attack at 43
  • 2014-04-25 Earl Morrall, American NFL quarterback (Super Bowl 1970, 72, 73; Pro Bowl 1957, 68; First-team All-Pro 1968, 72; NFL MVP 1968; Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins), dies from Parkinson's disease at 79
  • 2015-05-15 Garo Yepremian, American NFL place kicker (Miami Dolphins), dies at 70
  • 2018-03-22 Wayne Huizenga, American businessman, CEO (Waste Management, Blockbuster), and sports team owner (Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Florida Marlins), dies of cancer at 80
  • 2018-07-22 Tony Sparano, American football coach (Miami Dolphins 2008-11; Oakland Raiders 2014), dies of a heart attack at 56
  • 2019-01-12 Bob Kuechenberg, American football guard (6 x Pro Bowl; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; First-team All-Pro 1975, 78), dies of a heart attack at 71
  • 2019-07-30 Nick Buoniconti, American NFL linebacker (Miami Dolphins) and sportscaster (NBC), dies at 78

Don Shula (1930-2020)

2020-05-04 American Pro Football Hall of Fame coach (Super Bowl 1972, 73; Miami Dolphins; Baltimore Colts; NFL Coach of the Year 1964, 67, 68, 72), dies at 90

  • 2020-06-20 Jim Kiick, American football running back (Super Bowl 1972, 73; AFL All-Star 1968, 69; Miami Dolphins), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 73
  • 2020-11-19 Jake Scott, American College Football Hall of Fame safety (Uni of Georgia; 5×Pro Bowl; 2×First-team All-Pro; Super Bowl 1972 [MVP], 73; Miami Dolphins), dies from head injuries in a fall at 75
  • 2022-06-27 Marlin Briscoe, American College Football HOF quarterback/wide receiver (Uni Nebraska–Omaha; Super Bowl 1972, 73 Miami Dolphins; Pro Bowl 1970 Buffalo Bills), dies of pneumonia at 76
  • 2022-07-04 Hank Goldberg, American sports broadcaster (radio colour commentator Miami Dolphins 1978-92; ESPN2, ESPN Radio), dies from chronic kidney disease at 82
  • 2023-09-24 Tim Foley, American football defensive back (Super Bowl VII, VIII; Pro Bowl 1979; Miami Dolphins), dies at 75