Miami Dolphins Team History

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 team. Thomas would eventually sell his stake in the team to Robbie. A contest was held in 1965 to choose the name of the team, which elicited 19,843 entries and over a thousand different names. The winning name, “Dolphins,” was submitted by 622 entrants.
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 leg and dislocated ankle in Week 5 versus the San Diego Chargers and was replaced by veteran Earl Morrall for the rest of the regular season, but returned to the field as a substitute during the AFC Championship game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers and then started in Super Bowl VII. The Dolphins set the NFL single-season rushing record, and running backs Csonka and Mercury Morris became the first teammates to each rush for 1,000 yards in a season. The offensive line included future Hall of Fame members Jim Langer and Larry Little and Pro Bowler Bob Kuechenberg. 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, tackle Manny Fernandez and safeties Dick Anderson and Jake Scott. They secured the team rushing record by averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground for an entire season, while the defense allowed only 171 points.
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 to complete a perfect undefeated season. The game was played on January 14, 1973, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, the second time the Super Bowl was played in that city.
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 so since the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowls I and II, and the first AFC team to do so.
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 of the deal was $1.1 billion. This means Ross is now the owner of 95% of both the franchise and the stadium.
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).
Established
1966
City
Miami
League History
1970 – Present National Football League
1966 – 1970 American Football League
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.”
Team History
1966 – Present Miami Dolphins
Championship
Super Bowl 2
1973, 1972
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
Retired Number
12 Bob Griese
13 Dan Marino
39 Larry Csonka
Mascot
1997 – Present TD
*Blue is this team’s history
