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Miami Dolphins,
professional football team and one of five teams in the Eastern Division
of the American Football Conference (AFC) of the National Football
League (NFL). The Dolphins play at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida,
and wear uniforms of aqua, orange, and white. The team is named for the
dolphins that inhabit the coastal waters of Florida.
For most of their history, the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula, the
winningest head coach in professional football history. His Dolphins
teams posted losing records in only 2 of his 26 seasons with the club.
In 1972 the Dolphins became the first and only NFL team to complete a
14-game regular season without a loss. Five future Hall of Fame members
played for Miami during the 1970s, including running back Larry Csonka
and quarterback Bob Griese. During the 1980s and 1990s quarterback Dan
Marino became the most prolific passer in NFL history. He piloted the
Dolphins to numerous playoff appearances and two Super Bowls, and he
holds numerous NFL career passing records.
Miami joined the American Football League (AFL) when an expansion team
franchise was awarded to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas in
1965. The Dolphins began play in 1966, and after four consecutive losing
seasons, Don Shula replaced George Wilson as head coach. Miami joined
the NFL in 1970 when the NFL and AFL completed their merger.
The Dolphins were a successful team during the early 1970s, capturing
the AFC championship in 1971 behind quarterback Bob Griese and wide
receiver Paul Warfield. The AFC Championship Game, in which the Dolphins
defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, was the longest contest in NFL history
(82 minutes 40 seconds). In the Super Bowl, however, Miami lost to the
Dallas Cowboys 24-3.
In 1972 the Dolphins accomplished an amazing feat, becoming the first
NFL team to finish a season undefeated. Miami went on to win two playoff
games and then the Super Bowl, defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7.
During this season, Griese and veteran quarterback Earl Morrall shared
the passing duties, and running backs Larry Csonka and Mercury Morris
became the first teammates to rush for more than 1,000 yards each. The
offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer and Larry
Little. The 1972 Dolphins defensive unit, called the No-Name Defense
because Miami’s impressive offense received much more publicity, was the
league’s best that year. It was led by linebacker Nick Buoniconti, end
Bill Stanfill, and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott.
The Dolphins won 12 games during the 1973 season and repeated as Super
Bowl champions, routing the Minnesota Vikings 24-7. Miami reached the
playoffs the following season but lost in the first round to the Oakland
Raiders. After the disappointing defeat, several players, including
Csonka, Warfield, and running back Jim Kiick, joined the short-lived
World Football League. The Dolphins managed to win ten games in 1975,
aided by Griese’s consistency and the fine play of wide receiver Nat
Moore.
Miami rebounded from a losing record in 1976 by winning ten or more
games in four of the next five seasons. Shula built a solid defense
around a new set of stars, including linebacker A. J. Duhe and linemen
Bob Baumhower and Doug Betters. In the strike-shortened season of 1982,
the Dolphins held five of their nine opponents to 14 or fewer points en
route to their fourth Super Bowl appearance. They lost the title game to
Washington 27-17.
During the third game of the 1983 season, Shula replaced quarterback
David Woodley with rookie Dan Marino, who went on to win the AFC passing
championship and rookie of the year award. During the mid-1980s Marino
produced the most impressive set of passing statistics in NFL history,
setting single-season records for most yards (5,084), touchdown passes
(48), and completions (362) during the 1984 season. Seldom sacked by
defenders, Marino was protected by an outstanding offensive line as he
passed to receivers such as Mark Clayton and Mark Duper. In 1984 the
Dolphins won their first 11 games on their way to another Super Bowl
appearance. In the title game, however, Miami lost to the San Francisco
49ers 38-16.
Marino continued to quarterback the Dolphins throughout the 1990s, and
under his leadership the team reached the playoffs several times. In
1995 Marino broke the career passing records formerly held by Fran
Tarkenton for yards (48,841), touchdowns (352), and completions (3,913).
Following the 1995 season Shula became an executive in the Dolphins’
front office. Jimmy Johnson, who had won a collegiate national
championship at the University of Miami and two Super Bowls with the
Dallas Cowboys, was named as Shula’s replacement. After the 1999 season,
Johnson left the team and Marino retired.
1972 VI Lost to Dallas Cowboys, 24-3
1973 VII Defeated Washington Redskins, 14-7
1974 VIII Defeated Minnesota Vikings, 24-7
1983 XVII Lost to Washington Redskins, 27-17
1985 XIX Lost to San Francisco 49ers, 38-16
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