- 1966
- 1972
- 1972
- 1973
- 2008
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Miami Dolphins Team Formation
After a lengthy absence, professional football returned to Miami after the American Football League awarded an expansion team franchise to lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas for $7.5 million. Robbie had originally wanted to establish the franchise in Philadelphia, but AFL commissioner Joe Foss suggested courting Miami due to its warm climate, growing population, and lack of a football ... -
Only Undefeated Season in NFL
In 1972 the Dolphins completed the only fully undefeated season in the NFL, winning all 14 regular-season games, two playoff games, and Super Bowl VII, defeating the Washington Redskins 14-7. They finished the season 17-0, and are immortalized as the only team to complete an undefeated season and win the NFL title. QB Bob Greise was victim to a broken ... -
Super Bowl VII Winner 1972
Super Bowl VII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Washington Redskins to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1972 season. The Dolphins defeated the Redskins by the score of 14–7, and became the first and still the only team in NFL history ... -
Super Bowl VIII Winner 1973
Super Bowl VIII was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Minnesota Vikings and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Miami Dolphins to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1973 season. The Dolphins defeated the Vikings by the score of 24–7 to win their second consecutive Super Bowl, the first team to do ... -
New Owner Ross
In February 2008, Stephen M. Ross bought 50 percent of the Miami Dolphin franchise, Dolphin Stadium, and surrounding land from then-owner Wayne Huizenga for $550 million, with an agreement to later become the Dolphins’ managing general partner. On January 20, 2009, Ross closed on the purchase of an additional 45 percent of the team from Wayne Huizenga. The total value ...
History of the Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football franchise based in the Miami metropolitan area. The Dolphins compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the American Football Conference (AFC) East division. The Dolphins play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium in the northern suburb of Miami Gardens, Florida, and are headquartered in Davie, Florida. The Dolphins and the Atlanta Falcons (who also began play in 1966) are the oldest NFL franchises in the Deep South, and Miami is the oldest AFC team in that region. However, of the four AFC East teams, they are the only team in the division that was not a charter member of the American Football League (AFL).
The Dolphins were founded by attorney-politician Joe Robbie and actor-comedian Danny Thomas. They began to 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.
Established
1966
City
Miami
League History
1970 - Present / National Football League
1966 - 1969 / American Football League
Team History
1966 - Present / Miami Dolphins
Nickname
Dolphins - A fan contest drew 19,843 entries to name the AFL expansion team. A total of 622 contestants suggested “Dolphins.” The bottlenose dolphin, an intelligent creature with an irresistible built-in grin, has inspired wonder for centuries. Team owner Joe Robbie said he liked the name because, “The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures in the sea.” “Dolphins can attack and kill a shark or a whale. Sailors say bad luck will come to anyone who harms one of them.”
Championship
Super Bowl 2
1974, 1973
Stadium
2016 - Present / Hard Rock Stadium
2010 - 2016 / Sun Life Stadium
2009 - 2010 / Land Shark Stadium
2005 - 2009 / Dolphin Stadium
1996 - 2005 / Pro Player Stadium
1987 - 1996 / Joe Robbie Stadium
1966 - 1986 / Miami Orange Bowl
Owner
2009 - Present / Stephen M. Ross
2008 - 2009 / Stephen M. Ross and Wayne Huizenga
1993 - 2008 / Wayne Huizenga
1990 - 1993 / Robbie Family and Wayne Huizenga
1966 - 1990 / Joe Robbie
1965 - 1966 / Joe Robbie and Danny Thomas)
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
12 / Bob Griese
13 / Dan Marino
39 / Larry Csonka
*Blue is this team’s history