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Miami Dolphins
Current season
Miami Dolphins logo
Miami Dolphins logo
Miami Dolphins wordmark
Miami Dolphins wordmark
LogoWordmark
Established August 16, 1965; 59 years ago (1965-08-16)[1]
First season: 1966
Play in Hard Rock Stadium
Miami Gardens, Florida
Headquartered in Miami Gardens, Florida[2]
League / conference affiliations
American Football League (1966–1969)
  • Eastern Division (1966–1969)

National Football League (1970–present)

Uniforms
Team colorsAqua, orange, white, marine blue[3][4][5]
       
MascotT. D.
Websitemiamidolphins.com
Personnel
Owner(s)Stephen M. Ross[6]
CEOTom Garfinkel
General managerChris Grier
PresidentTom Garfinkel
Head coachMike McDaniel
Team history
  • Miami Dolphins (1966–present)
Team nicknames
  • The Phins[7]
  • Killer Bees[8]
  • No Name Defense[9]
Championships
League championships (2)
Conference championships (5)
Division championships (13)
Playoff appearances (25)
Home fields
Team owner(s)

The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The team plays its home games at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, a northern suburb of Miami. The team is owned by Stephen M. Ross. The Dolphins are the oldest professional sports team in Florida. Of the four AFC East teams, the Dolphins are the only team in the division that was not a charter member of the American Football League (AFL). The Dolphins were also one of the first professional football teams in the southeast, along with the Atlanta Falcons.

The Dolphins were founded by Joe Robbie, an attorney and politician, and Danny Thomas, an actor and comedian. They began play in the AFL in 1966. The region had not had a professional football team since the days of the Miami Seahawks, who played in the All-America Football Conference in 1946, before becoming the first incarnation of the Baltimore Colts. For the first few years, the Dolphins' full-time training camp and practice facilities were at Saint Andrew's School, a private, boys boarding prep school in Boca Raton. Miami joined the NFL as a result of the 1970 AFL–NFL merger.

The team played in its first Super Bowl in Super Bowl VI, losing to the Dallas Cowboys, 24–3. The following year, the Dolphins completed the NFL's only perfect season, culminating in a Super Bowl win, winning all 14 of their regular-season games, and all three of their playoff games, including Super Bowl VII. They were the third NFL team to accomplish a perfect regular season, and remain the only team to do so including playoffs since the AFL-NFL merger, the time known as the Super Bowl era. The next year, the Dolphins won Super Bowl VIII, becoming the first team to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls, and the second team (the first AFL/AFC team) to win back-to-back championships. Miami also appeared in Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XIX, losing both games.

For most of their early history, the Dolphins were coached by Don Shula, the most successful head coach in professional football history in terms of total games won. Under Shula, the Dolphins posted losing records in only two of his 26 seasons as the head coach. During the period spanning 1983 to the end of 1999, quarterback Dan Marino became one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, breaking numerous league passing records. Marino led the Dolphins to five division titles, 10 playoff appearances, and an appearance in Super Bowl XIX before retiring following the 1999 season.

Since Marino's retirement, they have experienced mediocre levels of success and have just six playoff appearances (2000, 2001, 2008, 2016, 2022, and 2023) and two division titles (2000 and 2008) with one playoff win. They currently have the longest postseason win drought in the NFL.

In December 2024 the Dolphins, led by owner Stephen M. Ross, became one of the first teams in NFL history to sell part of their team to outside private equity investors. 13% of the Dolphins franchise was sold at a valuation of $8.1 billion, including 10% to the American investment group Ares Management.[10]

History

Main articles: History of the Miami Dolphins and List of Miami Dolphins seasons
The Dolphins finished their perfect 1972 season by defeating the Redskins in Super Bowl VII.

The Miami Dolphins joined the American Football League (AFL) when an expansion franchise was awarded to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas in 1965 for $7.5 million, although Thomas would eventually sell his stake in the team to Robbie.[11] During the summer of 1966, the Dolphins' training camp was in St. Pete Beach with practices in August at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport.[12]

Don Shula

The Dolphins were the worst team with a 15–39–2 record in their first four seasons under head coach George Wilson, before Don Shula was hired as head coach.[13][14][15][16][17][18] Shula was a Paul Brown disciple who had been lured from the Baltimore Colts, after losing Super Bowl III two seasons earlier to the AFL's New York Jets, and finishing 8–5–1 the following season.[19][20] Shula got his first NFL coaching job from then-Detroit head coach George Wilson, who hired him as the defensive coordinator. The AFL merged with the NFL in 1970, and the Dolphins were assigned to the AFC East division in the NFL's new American Football Conference.[21]

For the rest of the 20th century, the Shula-led Dolphins emerged as one of the most dominant teams in the NFL, with only two losing seasons between 1970 and 1999.[22] They were extremely successful in the 1970s, completing the first complete perfect season in NFL history by finishing with a 14–0 regular-season record in 1972 and winning the Super Bowl that year.[23] It was the first of two consecutive Super Bowl wins and one of three appearances in a row.[24][25][26][27] The 1980s and 1990s were also moderately successful. The early 80s teams made two Super Bowls despite losing both times and saw the emergence of future Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino, who went on to break numerous NFL passing records, holding many of them until the late 2000s.[28][29][30] After winning every game against the division rival Buffalo Bills in the 1970s, the two teams gradually developed a competitive rivalry in the 80s and 90s, often competing for AFC supremacy when Jim Kelly emerged as the quarterback for the Bills.[31] The Dolphins have also maintained a strong rivalry with the New York Jets throughout much of their history.[32]

Joe Robbie, founder and former principal owner of the Dolphins (1966–1990)
A statue of coach Don Shula outside of Hard Rock Stadium

Following the retirements of Marino and Shula and the rise of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots, the Dolphins suffered a decline in the 2000s and 2010s.[33] During this period, the team's level of play was largely described as mediocre.[34][35][36] They have only made the playoffs four times since Marino's retirement and have largely been unable to find a consistent quarterback to replace him.

Jimmy Johnson

Jimmy Johnson was hired to replace Shula prior to the 1996 season.[37] In his first season at the helm, he led the team to a 8–8 record and missed the postseason.[38] In the 1997, the team improved to a 9–7 mark and made the postseason.[39] The team saw their season end in the Wild Card Round with a 17–3 loss to the New England Patriots.[40] In the 1998 season, the team went 10–6 and made the postseason.[41] The Dolphins defeated the Bills 24–17 in the Wild Card Round before falling to the Denver Broncos 38–3 in the Divisional Round.[42][43] In the 1999 season, the Dolphins went 9–7 and made the postseason.[44] The team defeated the Buffalo Bills 24–17 in the Wild Card Round before falling 62–7 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in what would be quarterback Dan Marino's final game.[45][46] Johnson resigned following the season.[47]

Dave Wannstedt

Going into the 2000 season, the Dolphins named Dave Wannstedt as head coach.[48] In his first season with the Dolphins, he led the team to a 11–5 record and an AFC East title.[49] The team defeated the Indianapolis Colts 23–17 in the Wild Card Round before losing 27–0 to the Oakland Raiders in the Divisional Round.[50][51] In the 2001 season, the team made the postseason with a 11–5 record and runner-up placement in the AFC East.[52] The team lost to the Baltimore Ravens 20–3 in the Wild Card Round.[53] In the 2002 season, the team failed to make the postseason despite a 9–7 record.[54] In the 2003 season, the team went 10–6 but missed the postseason.[55] Following a 1–8 start in the 2004 season, Wannstedt resigned.[56] Jim Bates finished out the year with a 3–4 mark.[57]

Nick Saban

Nick Saban coached the Dolphins in the 2005 and 2006 seasons. He went 9–7 and 6–10 in those two seasons, missing the playoffs in both.[58][59] Saban resigned following the 2006 season to leave for the University of Alabama.[60]

Cam Cameron

Prior to the 2007 season, the Dolphins hired Cam Cameron has head coach.[61] The team suffered a franchise-worst 1–15 season in 2007.[62] After the 2007 season, the team fired Cameron.[63]

Tony Sparano

Tony Sparano was named head coach of the Dolphins prior to the 2008 season.[64] In his first season, he led the team to an 11–5 result and an AFC East title.[65] During the season, they became the second team to make a 10-game improvement over the previous season.[66] That same season, the Dolphins upset the New England Patriots on the road during Week 3 thanks to the use of the gimmick Wildcat offense, which handed the Patriots their first regular-season loss since December 10, 2006, in which coincidentally, they were also beaten by the Dolphins. However, this success in 2008 proved to be an outlier during this period in the franchise's history; to date, it is the last season the Dolphins won the AFC East.[67] The team's season ended with a 27–9 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.[68] The 2009 and 2010 seasons saw regression with a 7–9 record in both years.[69][70] After a 4–9 start to the 2011 season, Sparano was fired.[71] Todd Bowles finished the 6–10 season as interim coach.[72]

Joe Philbin

Prior to the 2012 season, the team hired Joe Philbin as head coach.[73] In his first season at the helm, Philbin led the team to a 7–9 record.[74] In the 2013, the team improved to a 8–8 record but still missed the postseason.[75] In the 2014 season, the team added Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator. The Dolphins once again finished 8–8.[76] After a 1–3 start to the 2015 season, Philbin was fired.[77] Dan Campbell was named as interim coach and finished the year with a 5–7 mark.[78]

Adam Gase

Prior to the 2016 season, the team hired Adam Gase as head coach.[79] He led the team to a 10–6 record and a postseason berth in the 2016 season.[80] The team's season ended with a 30–12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round.[81] In the 2017 season, the Dolphins regressed to a 6–10 record.[82] In the 2018 season, the Dolphins finished with a 7–9 record.[83] After a cumulative 23–25 record, Gase was fired by the Dolphins.[84][85]

Brian Flores

Prior to the 2019 season, the Dolphins hired Brian Flores as head coach.[86] He led the team to a 5–11 record in the 2019 season.[87] The team drafted Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.[88] In the 2020 season, the team improved to a 10–6 mark but still missed the postseason.[89] In the 2021 season, the team went 9–8 but missed the postseason.[90] Following the end of the 2021 season, Flores was fired as head coach.[91]

Mike McDaniel

Prior to the 2022 season, Mike McDaniel was hired as head coach.[92] In his first season, he led the Dolphins to a 9–8 record and a 34–31 loss to the Bills in the Wild Card Round.[93][94] In the 2023 season, the team improved to a 11–6 mark but the season again ended in the Wild Card Round with a 26–7 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.[95][96]

Championships

Super Bowl championships

Season Coach Super Bowl Location Opponent Score Record
1972 Don Shula VII L.A. Memorial Coliseum (Los Angeles) Washington Redskins 14–7 17–0
1973 VIII Rice Stadium (Houston) Minnesota Vikings 24–7 15–2
Total Super Bowls won: 2

AFC championships

Season Coach Location Opponent Score Record
1971 Don Shula Orange Bowl (Miami) Baltimore Colts 21–0 12–4–1
1972 Three Rivers Stadium (Pittsburgh) Pittsburgh Steelers 21–17 17–0
1973 Orange Bowl (Miami) Oakland Raiders 27–10 15–2
1982 New York Jets 14–0 10–3
1984 Pittsburgh Steelers 45–28 16–3
Total AFC Championships won: 5

Rivalries

Divisional

New England Patriots

Main article: Dolphins–Patriots rivalry

The Dolphins dominated the New England Patriots during the 1970s and the 1990s, but there were some notable moments as well, including a 1982 game now known as the Snowplow Game.[97] Fortunes changed when Tom Brady became the franchise quarterback for the Patriots, and during his tenure with the Patriots, New England dominated the AFC, especially the AFC East, winning 16 of 17 division titles between 2003 and 2019, with the Dolphins winning the only non-Patriots division title in that time frame when Brady was out due to injury. Miami posed the biggest divisional challenge to the Brady-led Patriots, however, winning more games against them than the Bills or Jets did during that era.[98][99]

Notable wins over New England by the Dolphins include the Miracle in Miami, which involved a dramatic last-minute game-winning touchdown that paralleled "The Night that Courage Wore Orange", where in 2004, the Dolphins, at 2–11, upset the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots 28–29, and handed them the second of their 2 losses that season.[100] The rivalry briefly intensified in 2005 when Nick Saban, Bill Belichick's former Browns defensive coordinator was hired as their new head coach and when Saban nearly signed quarterback Drew Brees, as well as in 2008, when the two teams battled for the AFC East division title. Miami and New England are also the only two franchises to have posted undefeated regular-season records since the NFL-AFL merger, with Miami going 14–0 in 1972 and New England going 16–0 in 2007, but only the 1972 Dolphins were able to win the Super Bowl. As of the 2023 season, the Dolphins lead the all-time series 62–55.[101]

Buffalo Bills

Main article: Bills–Dolphins rivalry

The Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills have a long-standing rivalry, as there are stark characteristic differences between the cities of Miami and Buffalo, especially in climate and culture. The rivalry was extremely lopsided in favor of Miami during the 1970s, as the Dolphins won all 20 games against the Bills during that decade. Fortunes changed in the 1980s and 1990s when Jim Kelly became the Bills' starting quarterback. Though both teams were extremely dominant during that period, the Bills ultimately held the edge and dominated the Dolphins during their four playoff matchups in the 1990s, with the Dolphins' only playoff win coming after Kelly's retirement. With the rise of Tom Brady and the Patriots during the 2000s and the retirements of Kelly and Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, the Bills-Dolphins rivalry faded in relevance, but remains somewhat intense to this day. Some former Dolphins have gone to play for the Bills as well, most notably Dan Carpenter, Chris Hogan, and Charles Clay.

In the 2020s, the rivalry sharpened, with Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, drafted in 2020, leading a resurgent Dolphins team against the Josh Allen-led Bills, who had gained a streak of success after Brady's departure from the Patriots and the division. Though Allen's career record against Miami currently stands at 11–2, Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to their first win over Bills in 8 games in 2022, and the Dolphins played the Bills tightly in the teams' two other meetings that year despite losing both, including the playoffs. As of the 2023 season, the Dolphins lead the all-time series 62–58–1.[102]

New York Jets

Main article: Dolphins–Jets rivalry

The New York Jets are perhaps Miami's most bitter rivals.[103] Dolphins fans despise the Jets due to the sheer amount of New York City transplants who have moved to South Florida and the Jets' misplaced cocky demeanor. Just as the Bills-Dolphins rivalry is motivated by differences, the Dolphins-Jets series is also notable for the differences between New York and Miami. Unlike the former, this rivalry has been more consistent over the years. Some of the more memorable moments in this rivalry include Dan Marino's fake spike, Vinny Testaverde leading the Jets to a notable comeback on Monday Night Football, and former Jets quarterback Chad Pennington signing with the Dolphins and leading them to a divisional title. The two teams have also played in the 1982 AFC Championship, with Miami winning to face the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII. As of the 2023 season, the Dolphins lead the all-time series 60–56–1.[104]

Conference

Baltimore Ravens

Main article: Dolphins-Ravens rivalry

The Dolphins have played in a minor rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens lead 11-8 all time in the rivalry including the playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Dolphins have taken part in a minor rivalry with the Jacksonville Jaguars as both teams are the only two AFC franchises located in Florida.[105][106] The two teams first met during the 1998 NFL season on a Monday Night Football matchup.[107] Both teams later met in the 1999 AFC Divisional Round in what would ultimately be the final career game for Dolphins' hall-of-fame quarterback Dan Marino. The Dolphins entered the game as heavy underdogs as they had finished the 1999 season 9–7, securing the lowest wild card berth. Meanwhile; the Jaguars had boasted an impressive 14–2 campaign under pro-bowl quarterback Mark Brunell; culminating in the Jaguars destroying Miami in a 62–7 blowout loss.[46] The Jaguars managed an improbable upset victory during the 2021 Season as the team had declined severely under controversial head coach Urban Meyer. Despite this; the Jaguars managed a comeback victory against the Dolphins in London during week 6.[108] The teams are tied 5–5 all time, though the Jaguars lead 1–0 in the postseason.[109]

Indianapolis Colts

When the then-Baltimore Colts were inserted into the AFC East following the AFL/NFL merger, they sparked a heated rivalry with the Dolphins, as a controversy involving the hiring of former Colts coach Don Shula forced Miami to forfeit a first-round draft pick. The Dolphins and Colts faced off several times in the AFC playoffs during the 1970s, including the AFC championship game leading up to Super Bowl VI, which the Dolphins lost to the Dallas Cowboys. The rivalry cooled down in the 1980s after the Colts struggled and moved to Indianapolis, but heated up once again in the late 90s until the Colts were reassigned into the AFC South as a result of the 2002 realignment of the NFL's divisions.[105] As of 2023, the Dolphins lead the all-time series 48–28.[110]

Inter Conference

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Main article: Buccaneers–Dolphins rivalry

Since the founding of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976, the Dolphins and Buccaneers have shared a mellow in-state rivalry and were the only two teams in Florida until the Jacksonville Jaguars joined the NFL in 1995. As of the 2023 season, the Buccaneers lead the all-time series 7–5.[111]

Historic

Kansas City Chiefs

The Dolphins won a notable pair of games against the Kansas City Chiefs, defeating them in "The Longest Game", the final game in Municipal Stadium,[112] and then the first regular season game at Arrowhead Stadium in 1972.[113] As of the 2023 season, the Chiefs lead the all-time series 17–16.[114]

Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers

See also: Dolphins–Raiders rivalry, The Sea of Hands, and Epic in Miami

The Dolphins also share historic rivalries with other AFC teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers, stemming from often competing against these teams in the playoffs during the Don Shula era. As of the 2023 season, the Raiders lead the all-time series 21–20–1.[115]

Facilities

Stadiums

Hard Rock Stadium in 2012.
Miami Orange Bowl, the former home of the Dolphins (1966–1986)

The Dolphins originally played all home games in the Orange Bowl in Miami. They moved to the new Joe Robbie Stadium after the 1986 season. From 1993 to 2011, the Dolphins shared the stadium with Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins (now known as the Miami Marlins). The venue has had multiple naming rights deals since 1996, carrying the names Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, Dolphin Stadium, LandShark Stadium, Sun Life Stadium, New Miami Stadium and, as of August 2016, Hard Rock Stadium. The facility is located in Miami Gardens, a suburb of Miami located approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of downtown Miami. The Miami Dolphins share Hard Rock Stadium with the NCAA Miami Hurricanes. The 2015–2016 season was the first season in the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins spent more than two years and over $400 million on a major overhaul to Hard Rock Stadium. Every seat was replaced and the lower-level seats were moved closer to the field. There are roughly 10,000 fewer seats.[116]

Training

Main article: Miami Dolphins Training Facility

St. Petersburg Beach hosted the Dolphins' first training camp in 1966. St. Andrew's School in Boca Raton hosted training camp in the late 1960s. The Dolphins subsequently trained in Miami Gardens at Biscayne College, later renamed St. Thomas University, from 1970 until 1993.

In 1993, the Dolphins opened the Miami Dolphins Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University in Davie. In 2006, the facility added a domed field that allows the team to practice during thunderstorms which are common in the area during the summer.[117]

In 2021, the Dolphins opened a new, 135 million training facility, dubbed the Baptist Health Training Complex, the Dolphins will practice in. The complex is located next to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.[118]

Franchise information

Logos and uniforms

Leaping dolphin (1966–2012)

Miami's wordmark logo (1980–1996)
RB Mercury Morris's 1972 jersey at the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Dolphins logo and uniforms remained fairly consistent from the team's founding through 2012. The team's colors were originally aqua and coral, with the coral color paying tribute to the Miami Seahawks and to the many natural coral reefs in Biscayne Bay. The team's original logo consisted of a sunburst with a leaping dolphin wearing a football helmet bearing the letter M. At their debut in 1966, a lighter & brighter orange was used instead of the deep coral color. The dolphin's head was near the center of the sunburst. In the 1967 season, the dolphin was centered on the sunburst, but it reverted to the original placement between 1968 and 1973. By 1974, the dolphin's body was centered on the sunburst in a slightly smaller logo than the 1967 version. The uniforms featured white pants with aqua and orange stripes, paired with either a white or aqua jersey. On the white jersey, aqua block numbers and names were outlined in orange, with aqua and orange sleeve stripes. Starting with the 1972 perfect season, these uniforms were used as the primary uniforms for road games and daytime home games, due to the extreme heat of South Florida. The team also had an aqua jersey used mainly for night home games or road games in which the opponent chose to wear white. The aqua jersey featured white block numbers and names with an orange outline, and orange and white sleeve stripes.

An update was given to the logo in 1997 – the sunburst was simplified and the dolphin was darkened and given a more serious game-face expression.[119] The uniforms remained the same; however, a different block number font was used and navy drop shadows were added.

On very rare occasions, an orange jersey was used for primetime games. The uniforms essentially swapped the location of orange and aqua from the aqua jersey. The orange jersey was first used on a Sunday night in 2003 against Washington, a Dolphin win. In 2004, the orange jersey was brought back for an Monday Night Football match pitting the 2–11 Dolphins against the 12–1 defending champion New England Patriots. The Dolphins scored a huge upset win after trailing by 11 points with less than 5 minutes remaining. Due to the unusual orange jerseys, the game has become known within some Dolphin circles as "The Night That Courage Wore Orange".[120] The orange jerseys were used for a 2009 Monday night win against the New York Jets. However, the Dolphins would lose a 2010 Sunday night matchup with the Jets, their first loss in orange, and the orange jerseys in the original style would not be worn again.

In 2009, the Dolphins switched to black shoes for the first time since the early 1970s glory days, following a recent trend among NFL teams. However, by 2011, they returned to wearing white shoes.

The Dolphins' final game in the original style uniforms with block numbers and the iconic leaping dolphin logo was the final game of the 2012 season, a 28–0 shutout loss to the New England Patriots in Foxboro. The white jerseys were worn for the game, and as rumors of a new look had been swirling, many fans watching knew that it would likely be the last time their team would wear the leaping dolphin logo.

Stylized swimming dolphin (2013–present)

A new logo and new uniforms were unveiled shortly before the 2013 NFL draft.[121][122][123] The new logo features a stylized aqua dolphin swimming in front of a heavily modified version of the orange sunburst. The dolphin in the logo is more vague and artistic, and is not wearing a helmet as it is merely a silhouette of a dolphin cast in aqua and navy.

Navy was incorporated as featured color for the first time, with orange becoming greatly de-emphasized. The uniforms feature both white pants and aqua pants, with a white or aqua jersey. The Dolphins continue to wear white at home, just as they had with the previous uniforms, with aqua being used for primetime home games. The white jersey features aqua numbers and names in a unique custom font, with orange and navy outlines on the numbers; however, the names only use navy as an outline color. The aqua jerseys use white numbers with an orange and aqua outline, and white names with a navy outline. The helmets are white with a white facemask, just like the final years of the previous look; however, navy is a prominent color on the helmet stripe, joining aqua and a de-emphasized orange. Both jerseys have large "Dolphins" text above the numbers, written in the team's new script. The pants are either aqua or white, and contain no markings other than a small team wordmark.[124]

In 2018, the team made some slight modifications to the logo and uniform set: The shades of orange and aqua were tweaked, and navy blue was removed from the color scheme, only remaining on the logo.[125]

Throwback uniforms

In 2015, the Dolphins brought back their 1970s aqua uniforms for a few select games. Four years later, they brought back a white version from the same era as a second alternate uniform. The aqua throwbacks were worn during the now-famous 2018 Miracle in Miami play against the Patriots.

Color Rush uniform

On September 29, 2016, the Dolphins debuted their new Color Rush uniform in a Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The all-orange uniform marked the first time since 2010 that the Dolphins wore an orange uniform. However, the set was only used for that game as the Dolphins immediately retired the uniform soon after.

In later years, the Dolphins wore similar all-aqua or all-white uniforms in select games as the NFL gradually relaxed its rules regarding hosiery.

Fight song

The song was written and composed by Lee Ofman, and has similar instrumentation and lyrics to the fight song of the Houston Oilers. Ofman approached the Dolphins with it before the 1972 season because he wanted music to inspire his favorite team. The fight song would soon serve as a good luck charm for the Dolphins that season. The Dolphins became the first team in NFL history to record an undefeated season, going 17–0 en route to victory over the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl VII. The following season, Miami posted an equally impressive 15–2 record and capped the season with another title, defeating the Minnesota Vikings in Super Bowl VIII. The back-to-back championship runs, coupled with the popularity of the fight song amongst Dolphins fans, have ensured the song's longevity. The Dolphins revealed a new fight song by T-Pain and Jimmy Buffett featuring Pitbull on August 7, 2009, which was introduced for the 2009 NFL season.[126] The fight song was played during the preseason home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars on August 17, 2009, but was not played during the second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on August 22, 2009, after being booed heavily in the first game. Furthermore, the team has preferred to play Buffett's song "Fins" after scores during the 2009 regular season instead of the traditional fight song.

Cheerleaders

Main article: Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders
Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders

The team's cheerleaders are known collectively as the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders.[127] The company had its debut in 1978 as the Dolphins Starbrites. (The name referred to the co-sponsor, Starbrite Car Polish.) The cheerleaders' founding choreographer was June Taylor, famed colleague of Jackie Gleason, who led the squad until her retirement in 1990.

Special Teams/Volunteer Program

In April 2010, the Dolphins started the first Volunteer Program in the NFL. Special Teams is a unique volunteer organization created to enlist and mobilize the ongoing services of the community with the Dolphins staff, players and alumni. The mission of the Special Teams is to offer hands-on services to communities and families in need, to partner with existing organizations on worthwhile social, civic and charitable programs, to provide assistance at Miami Dolphins Foundation events, and to support community efforts in times of emergency. This program is headed by Leslie Nixon and Sergio Xiques. Since its inception, Special Teams has given over 250,000 community services hours to the South Florida and Mexico community.[128]

Mascots

T. D. the mascot

T.D.

Main article: T. D. (mascot)

("The Dolphin") On Friday, April 18, 1997, the first "official" mascot of the Miami Dolphins was introduced. The 7-foot mascot made his public debut on April 19 at Pro Player Stadium during the team's draft-day party. The team then made a "Name the Mascot" contest that drew over 13,000 entries covering all 50 states and 22 countries. 529 names were suggested. The winning entry was announced at the annual Dolphins Awards Banquet on June 4, 1997.

Dolfan Denny

Denny Sym cheered on the Miami Dolphins for 33 years as a one-man sideline show, leading Miami crowds in cheers and chants in his glittering coral (orange) and aqua hat from the Dolphins' first game in 1966 until 2000. Sym died on March 18, 2007. He was 72.[129]

Flipper

Main article: Flipper
"Flipper" (former mascot)

From 1966 to 1968, and in the 1970s a live dolphin was situated in a water tank in the open (east) end of the Orange Bowl.[130] He would jump in the tank to celebrate touchdowns and field goals. The tank that was set up in the 1970s was manufactured by Evan Bush and maintained during the games by Evan Bush and Dene Whitaker. Flipper was removed from the Orange Bowl after 1968 to save costs, and in the 1970s due to stress.

Radio and television

Main article: List of Miami Dolphins broadcasters

In August 2010, the team launched its own regional TV network to carry preseason games and in-season content such as coach and player shows. The Dolphins Television Network comprises 10 South Florida TV stations that agreed to carry the team-produced coverage.[131] Preseason games are broadcast on television through CBS-owned WFOR-TV in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, WTVX in West Palm Beach, WBBH-TV in Fort Myers, and WRDQ in Orlando. Longtime TV and radio personality Dick Stockton provides play-by-play commentary, with Dolphins Hall-of-Fame QB Bob Griese and former Dolphins WR Nat Moore providing color commentary. The radio broadcast team features Jimmy Cefalo providing play-by-play commentary and Joe Rose providing color commentary during preseason games, along with Griese for regular-season games.[132] Griese replaced longtime color commentator Jim Mandich after his death in 2011, who played for the Dolphins under Don Shula. Radio coverage as of the 2023 season is carried WINZ (940 AM) and WBGG-FM (105.9 FM). Additionally, games can also be heard in Spanish on WNMA (1210 AM), with Raúl Striker Jr. and Joaquin Duro providing play-by-play and color commentary, respectively.

CBS-owned WFOR, in addition to preseason telecasts, airs most of the Dolphins' regular season games and Thursday Night Football, with rare home games moved or delayed by hurricanes carried by sister station WBFS-TV due to network conflicts, and some games carried by WSVN when flexed to Fox. When playing on Sunday night, the team's matches will be broadcast on NBC's WTVJ.

The Dolphins' radio affiliates:[133][134]

English

class=notpageimage|
Map of radio affiliates
City Call sign Frequency
Miami/Fort Lauderdale WINZ 940 AM
WBGG-FM 105.9 FM
Fort Myers WRXK-FM 96.1 FM
Key West WKWF 1600 AM
Orlando WDBO 580 AM
Port St. Lucie WPSL 1590 AM
West Palm Beach WUUB 106.3 FM

Spanish

City Call sign Frequency
Miami/Fort Lauderdale WNMA 1210 AM
West Palm Beach WEFL 760 AM

Season-by-season records

Main article: List of Miami Dolphins seasons

Players

Current roster

Further information: List of Miami Dolphins starting quarterbacks
Further information: List of Miami Dolphins players
Miami Dolphins roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve


As of December 17, 2024. Rookies in italics.

53 active, 15 reserve, 16 practice squad (+1 exempt)

Players of note

Main article: List of Miami Dolphins in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame Head Coach Don Shula
Hall of Fame WR Paul Warfield
Hall of Fame FB Larry Csonka
Hall of Fame QB Bob Griese
Hall of Fame G Larry Little

Miami Dolphins in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

The Dolphins currently have ten players, and one coach enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, that have spent the majority (or entirety) of their careers, or made significant contributions with the Miami Dolphins. Three other players and four coaches/contributors that have spent only a "minor portion" of their careers with the Dolphins, have also been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but have been enshrined primarily with other teams.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame primarily as a Miami Dolphin
Jersey Number Retired
Miami Dolphins in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Players
No. Name Position Season(s) Inducted
42 Paul Warfield WR 1970–1974 1983
39 Larry Csonka FB 1968–1974, 1979 1987
62 Jim Langer C 1970–1979 1987
12 Bob Griese QB 1967–1980 1990
66 Larry Little G 1969–1980 1993
57 Dwight Stephenson C 1980–1987 1998
85 Nick Buoniconti LB 1969–1974, 1976 2001
13 Dan Marino QB 1983–1999 2005
34 Thurman Thomas RB 2000 2007
88 Cris Carter WR 2002 2013
55 Junior Seau LB 2003–2005 2015
99 Jason Taylor DE 1997–2007, 2009, 2011 2017
54 Zach Thomas LB 1996–2007 2023
Coaches and Executives
Name Position Season(s) Inducted
Don Shula Head Coach 1970–1995 1997
Bill Parcells Executive VP of Football Operations 2008–2010 2013
Bobby Beathard Director of Player Personnel 1972–1977 2018
Jimmy Johnson Head Coach 1996–1999 2020
George Young Director of Personnel and Pro Scouting 1975–1978 2020

Retired numbers

The Miami Dolphins currently have three retired jersey numbers:

  • No. 12 for Bob Griese, which was retired on a Monday Night Football broadcast in 1985.
  • No. 13 for Dan Marino, which was retired on September 17, 2000, during halftime of the "Ravens @ Dolphins" game on Sunday Night Football.
  • No. 39 for Larry Csonka, which was retired on December 9, 2002 (30th anniversary of Miami's "1972 Undefeated Team"), during halftime of the "Bears @ Dolphins" game on Monday Night Football.
Miami Dolphins retired numbers
Bob Griese
QB
1967–1980
Purdue 		Dan Marino
QB
1983–1999
Pittsburgh 		Larry Csonka
FB
1968-1974, 1979
Syracuse


The Dolphins have other numbers that have currently not been issued to any player, or are currently in reduced circulation, but not yet officially retired. They include:[135]

Individual award winners

Listed below are the individuals who have won the following NFL, Super Bowl, and Pro Bowl MVP awards, the Offensive and Defensive Rookie and Player of the Year awards, the Comeback Player of the Year winners, the winners of the prestigious NFL Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and the winner of the Coach of the Year Award for the Miami Dolphins. Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

NFL All-Decade Team and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team selections

The following are Miami Dolphins (players and/or coaches) who have been selected to an "All-Decade Team", or the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team by the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee. Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Pro Bowl selections

Hall of Fame QB Dan Marino
Hall of Fame DE Jason Taylor
Hall of Fame LB Zach Thomas

Many former and current Miami Dolphins players have represented the franchise in the Pro Bowl (or the AFL All-Star Game). Below is a list of current or former players that play or have played for the Miami Dolphins that have been selected to at least three Pro Bowls.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl selections
No. of Pro Bowls Player Position Tenure Pro Bowl years
9 Dan Marino QB 1983–1999 1983–1987, 1991–1992, 1994–1995
8 Bob Griese QB 1967–1980 1967–1968, 1970–1971, 1973–1974, 1977–1978
7 Zach Thomas LB 1996–2007 1999–2003, 2005–2006
7 Richmond Webb OT 1990–2000 1990–1996
6 Bob Kuechenberg G 1970–1984 1974–1975, 1977–1978, 1982–1983
6 Jim Langer C 1970–1979 1973–1978
6 Jason Taylor DE 1997–2007, 2009, 2011 2000, 2002, 2004–2007
5 Bob Baumhower DT 1977–1986 1979, 1981–1984
5 Mark Clayton WR 1983–1992 1984–1986, 1988, 1991
5 Larry Csonka FB 1968–1974, 1979 1970–1974
5 Larry Little G 1969–1980 1969, 1971–1974
5 John Offerdahl LB 1986–1993 1986–1990
5 Jake Scott S 1970–1975 1971–1975
5 Bill Stanfill DE 1969–1976 1969, 1971–1974
5 Dwight Stephenson C 1980–1987 1983–1987
5 Cameron Wake DE 2009–2018 2010, 2012–2014, 2016
5 Paul Warfield WR 1970–1974 1970–1974
4 Xavien Howard CB 2016–2023 2018, 2020–2022
4 Jake Long OT 2008–2012 2008–2011
4 Sam Madison CB 1997–2005 1999–2002
4 Ed Newman DE 1973–1984 1981–1984
3 Dick Anderson S 1968-1977 1971–1973
3 Nick Buoniconti LB 1969–1974, 1976 1969, 1972–1973
3 Bryan Cox LB 1991–1995 1992, 1994–1995
3 Mark Duper WR 1982–1992 1983–1984, 1986
3 Brent Grimes CB 2013–2015 2013–2015
3 Jarvis Landry WR 2014–2017 2015–2017
3 Brock Marion S 1998–2003 2000, 2002–2003
3 Mercury Morris RB 1969–1975 1971–1973
3 Mike Pouncey WR 2011–2017 2013–2015
3 Keith Sims G 1990–1997 1993–1995
3 Patrick Surtain CB 1998–2004 2002–2004

50 greatest players

In 2015, to commemorate the Miami Dolphins' 50th NFL season, the Dolphins organization announced through voting from the South Florida Media and Miami Dolphin fans the results of the 50 greatest players in Miami Dolphins franchise history. The results were announced during halftime on Monday Night Football between the Dolphins and the Giants. Here are the 50 greatest Dolphins broken down by position. Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.[136]

Offense:

Defense:

Special teams:

Dan Marino on the Honor Roll in-between his two "Marks Brothers" WRs Mark Clayton and Mark Duper.
Hall of Famers Zach Thomas & Jason Taylor on the Honor Roll.
Hall of Famers Larry Little and Dwight Stephenson, up on the Honor Roll, along with Bob Kuechenberg and Richmond Webb.

Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor/Honor Roll

The Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor, formerly known as the Honor Roll, is a ring around the second tier of Hard Rock Stadium that honors former players, coaches, owners and contributors who have made significant contributions to the franchise throughout their history. Each of these players is honored with a placard on the facing of the upper level around Hard Rock Stadium including team founder-owner Joe Robbie. In place of a jersey number, Don Shula has the number 347, representing his record number of NFL coaching victories, 274 of them as Dolphins head coach. Dan Marino's name includes his career passing statistics of attempts (8,358), completions (4,967), passing yards (61,361), and touchdown passes (420). Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees are additionally denoted by a hall of fame logo next to their names.

In 1992, at the 20-year anniversary, Miami's "1972 Undefeated Team" was enshrined into the Honor Roll. At the 40 year anniversary, which enshrined former defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger into the Honor Roll, his name went on the Honor Roll where the "1972 Undefeated Team" inductee previously and originally was enshrined, and an updated "1972 Perfect Season Team 17–0" inductee was put into one corner of Hard Rock Stadium with special placards of Super Bowl VII and Super Bowl VIII included next to it on each side.

Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Jersey Number Retired

The inductees as of 2024 include:

Miami Dolphins Honor Roll
No. Name Position(s) Years with club Inducted
— Joe Robbie Owner/Founder 1966–1989 1990
39 Larry Csonka FB 1968–1974, 1979
12 Bob Griese QB 1967–1980
62 Jim Langer C 1970–1979
42 Paul Warfield WR 1970–1974
85 Nick Buoniconti LB 1969–1974, 1976 1991
1972 Undefeated Team 1992
66 Larry Little G 1969–1980 1993
57 Dwight Stephenson C 1980–1987 1994
67 Bob Kuechenberg G 1970–1984 1995
347 Don Shula Head Coach 1970–1995 1996
89 Nat Moore WR 1974–1986 1999
13 420 * 61,361 * Dan Marino * 8,358 * 4,967 QB 1983–1999 2000
83 Mark Clayton WR 1983–1992 2003
85 Mark Duper WR 1982–1992
40 Dick Anderson S 1968–1977 2006
78 Richmond Webb OT 1990–2000
73 Bob Baumhower DT 1977–1986 2008
75 Doug Betters DE 1978–1987
13 Jake Scott S 1970–1975 2010
84 Bill Stanfill DE 1969–1976
88 Jim Mandich TE
Radio Broadcaster		 1970–1977
1992–2004, 2007–2010		 2011
— Bill Arnsparger Defensive Coordinator 1970–1973, 1976–1983 2012
Super Bowl VII Team
1972 Perfect Season Team 17–0
Super Bowl VIII Team 		UPDATED
1992 Inductee
99 Jason Taylor DE 1997–2007, 2009, 2011
54 Zach Thomas LB 1996–2007
56 John Offerdahl LB 1986–1993 2013
75 Manny Fernandez DT 1968–1975 2014
95 Tim Bowens DT 1994–2004 2024

Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza Walk of Fame

A statue of the original founder/owner of the Miami Dolphins from 1966 to 1989, Joe Robbie, on display as the centerpiece to the Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza Walk of Fame.

The Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza Walk of Fame was first established in 2011, designed to be all-encompassing and recognize the best of the Miami Dolphins alumni, including those in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Honor Roll, and as well as the many other players who were among the unsung heroes and community leaders that the organization has produced. The "Walk of Fame" is located at the north end of Hard Rock Stadium, with a life-size bronze statue of Joe Robbie, the original founder and owner of the Miami Dolphins from 1966 to 1989. Bold indicates those elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The inductees as of 2018 (by yearly class) are:

All-time first-round draft picks

Main article: List of Miami Dolphins first-round draft picks

Staff

Head coaches

Main article: List of Miami Dolphins head coaches

The Dolphins have had 14 head coaches in franchise history.[137]

Current staff

Miami Dolphins staff
Front office
  • Chairman/managing general partner – Stephen Ross
  • Vice chairman/partner – Bruce Beal
  • Vice chairman – Jorge Pérez
  • Vice chairman – Matt Higgins
  • Vice chairman, president, and CEO – Tom Garfinkel
  • General manager – Chris Grier
  • Assistant general manager – Marvin Allen
  • Vice president, football administration – Brandon Shore
  • Senior vice president, chief financial officer – Chris Clements
  • Senior personnel executive – Reggie McKenzie
  • Co-director, player personnel – Adam Engroff
  • Co-director, player personnel – Anthony Hunt
  • Director of college scouting – Matt Winston
  • Senior scout – Jim Abrams
  • Special advisor to the vice chairman, president, and CEO – Dan Marino
Head coach
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
  • Defensive coordinator – Anthony Weaver
  • Defensive line – Austin Clark
  • Assistant defensive line – Kynjee Cotton
  • Linebackers/run game coordinator – Joe Barry
  • Outside linebackers – Ryan Crow
  • Pass game coordinator/secondary – Brian Duker
  • Cornerbacks – Mathieu Araujo
  • Defensive backs/pass game specialist – Ryan Slowik
  • Assistant defensive backs – DeShawn Shead
  • Defensive assistant – Matthew O'Donnell
  • Defensive assistant – Sean Ryan
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning coaches
  • Head strength and conditioning – Dave Puloka
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Adam Lachance

→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

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