Miami Dolphins football team

The Miami Dolphins, Florida's oldest American football team, are renowned for their victories in the 1972 and 1973 Super Bowls, the record-setting coach Don Shula, and the legendary quarterback Dan Marino.

The history of the Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins football team was established in 1966 as a part of the American Football League's expansion. The team's founding can be credited to politician Joe Robbie and comedian Danny Thomas. Choosing the team's name was a lengthy process, eventually resolved through a contest that drew thousands of suggestions, with "Miami Dolphins" emerging as the winner. The name was justified by Joe Robbie, who explained that dolphins are among the most intelligent creatures, known for their remarkable speed and ability to outmaneuver even sharks.

That same year, George Wilson was signed as the team's coach. The Dolphins played their inaugural game in September 1966, which ended in a loss. However, they secured their first win in October against the Denver Broncos, ending their first season with four wins and ten losses. While Wilson's tenure as a coach wasn't marked by success, the team did acquire key players such as quarterback Bob Griese, running back Larry Csonka, and defender Larry Little.

The team's fortunes changed dramatically with the appointment of new coach Don Shula in 1970. Under his guidance, the Dolphins showcased their full potential, winning 65 games over the next four years. The 1972 season was particularly notable as the team became undefeated, winning Super Bowl VII, a feat unmatched since 1948. The Dolphins solidified their success with another victory in Super Bowl VIII.

Period of team stagnation

The Miami Dolphins experienced a period of stagnation in the early 1990s following the death of team owner Joe Robbie. In 1994, the team was acquired by sportsman Wayne Huizenga, and a couple of years later, coach Jimmy Johnson joined. While the team consistently made the playoffs, they haven't achieved significant successes since then. However, this didn't mean a decline, but rather that the bar had been set very high.

The year 2008 was particularly notable when the Dolphins won their division but failed to maintain their leadership in subsequent years. The period from the mid to late 2010s was marked by an improvement in the team's performance under head coach Adam Gase and quarterback Ryan Tannehill. However, the team was unable to secure a consistent position among the NFL leaders. In recent years, the team has been undergoing a period of rebuilding, including searching for new game strategies and talented players to become competitive in the league again.

Notable Miami Dolphins players

• Dan Marino
  In 1983, during the NFL draft for the strongest college football players, the NFL urgently needed a quarterback, and Dan Marino was selected. This choice turned out to be a jackpot for the league as Dan broke numerous NFL records for quarterbacks. He was recognized as the best defensive player by the end of his debut season and led the team to the playoffs 10 times. Remarkably, although the team never won a Super Bowl under him, Marino is still considered by many to be the best quarterback ever. He left the team in 2000, and five years later, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame for his achievements.
• Larry Csonka
  Larry joined the team in 1968 as a running back. His career started off roughly. He was knocked out and suffered a concussion by the fifth game. Three weeks later, he got another concussion, ruptured his eardrum, and broke his nose. There were talks that Larry might have to give up football. When Larry returned to the team in 1970, he almost had to be re-taught from scratch. Over the next four seasons, Csonka diligently participated in every game. He became one of the most formidable running backs, and his resilience became legendary. For instance, when a coach was asked about Larry's bruises, he replied: "When Csonka goes on safari, lions hide."
• Jason Taylor
  He joined the team in 1997 as a defender. He reached his peak in 2006, receiving the NFL Defensive Player of the Year title. Taylor became an unchallenged leader in defensive touchdowns. He participated in six Pro Bowl matches and set an NFL record for fumble recoveries. He is also known for his philanthropy — in 2004, he and his wife founded a foundation to improve the lives of children in South Florida. Taylor retired as a football player in 2011.

Interesting facts about Miami Dolphins

• From 1966 to 1986, the Miami Dolphins' home arena was the Orange Bowl stadium in Miami. In 1987, the team moved to a new stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, which can accommodate 65,000 spectators and regularly hosts the Super Bowl.
• The team appeared in the movie "Ace Ventura," where the plot centered around the kidnapping of the team's mascot, a dolphin named Snowflake, and quarterback Dan Marino. Jim Carrey's character tries to save them both to avoid disappointing Super Bowl viewers.
• Ryan Tannehill's wife, Lauren, was listed among the most charming spouses of U.S. athletes.
• The Miami Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to have a "perfect season." In 1972, they won every match in the regular season, playoffs, and concluded the season with a victory in the Super Bowl.
• Don Shula, the coach of the Miami Dolphins from 1970 to 1995, holds the record for the most wins in NFL history.