1. Former Miami Dolphins great Dan Marino held many records during his time at the helm of the offense from 1983 through 1999. He is still recognized today as the greatest passer in team history and holds numerous NFL records, such as most passing yards, completions and touchdowns thrown in a single season (1948, 1984 and 1986 respectively).
2. The Dolphins have had many successful head coaches Tover their existence, including Don Shula who led the team to two Super Bowl championships during his 26-year tenure (1970–1995). Other notable head coaches include Jimmy Johnson, Dave Wannstedt, Nick Saban and current coach Adam Gase.
3. The Dolphins have won five AFC East division titles since 1970 – in 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979 and 1981. They are one of only two teams in the AFC East to win multiple division titles in a single decade; the other is the New England Patriots who have won 10 straight division titles from 2009 through 2018.
4. Miami has produced some great wide receivers over the years such as Mark Clayton, Nat Moore and Chris Chambers. More recently the Dolphins have had Brandon Marshall and Davone Bess lead their attack at this position with their incredible speed and superb hands.
5. The Dolphins are known for having a strong defense led by Hall of Famers Jason Taylor, Zach Thomas and Cameron Wake (among others). They also feature an outstanding secondary that includes Pro-Bowlers Xavien Howard and Reshad Jones. The defense has been the foundation of the team’s success over the years.
6. The Dolphins have had several memorable moments during their existence, such as the “fake spike” play by Dan Marino against the New York Jets in 1994 which won the game for Miami, and the iconic unveiling of Hard Rock Stadium in 2016.
7. In 2018, the Dolphins made history again when they appointed assistant head coach/wide receivers coach Dowell Loggains to become the first African-American head coach in franchise history. Loggains has since been replaced by current head coach Brian Flores but his mark on team history will forever be remembered.
8. A popular saying among fans is that “It’s always sunny in Miami!” This phrase has been used since at least 1997, when the Dolphins made it to their first Super Bowl since 1984. And while the team may not have won that game, they always manage to put a smile on the faces of their fans.
9. The Miami Dolphins are still one of the most popular teams in the NFL and regularly draw some of the largest crowds in any given stadium. Whether it’s at Hard Rock Stadium or away games, Dolphins fans come out to support their team wherever they go.
10. Last but not least, no overview of the Miami Dolphins would be complete without mentioning “Dolfanaticism” – an unofficial term used to describe their die-hard fans who live and breathe for the team. Dolfanatics take their fandom to the next level and never miss an opportunity to show their team spirit. They are the heart and soul of the Dolphins organization!
11. The Dolphins have played in five Super Bowls, winning two. From 1971 to 1973 they won three consecutive AFC championships and became the first team in NFL history to achieve a league-best back-to-back championship series. In 1972, they defeated the Washington Redskins 14–7 to win their first Super Bowl title. Eight years later, Miami defeated the Minnesota Vikings 24–7 to win their second championship, becoming the first team ever to appear in three consecutive Super Bowls.
12. The Miami Dolphins are known for having one of the most loyal fan bases in professional football. Since 1966 when they were founded as an expansion franchise, fans from all over South Florida have been showing up in droves at every home game. During the 2002 season, Dolphins fans set a record by selling out all eight home games. The team’s mascot, T.D. (The Dolphin), has made numerous appearances throughout Miami-Dade County to promote the team and support local charities.
13. The Dolphins organization is committed to giving back to its community through charitable initiatives like the “Fins for Kids” program which encourages youngsters to stay in school and be active participants in their communities by providing them with tickets to select Dolphins home games each year along with special events leading up to those contests. The program also holds an annual golf tournament that raises funds for several South Florida children’s charities such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami and Miracle Makers.
14. The Dolphins have developed a major rivalry with the New England Patriots over the years; this is best known as the “AFC East War”. Both teams have met in many important games and matchups, including seven playoff contests since 1966, four of which were AFC championship games. Since 1993, when Don Shula retired from coaching, the two teams have gone head-to-head 24 times (with Miami leading 14–10).
15. Many prominent players have put on a Dolphins uniform over the years, ranging from Hall of Famers Dan Marino, Bob Griese and Larry Csonka to current stars such as Cameron Wake and Ryan Tannehill. One player who stands out among the rest is wide receiver Mark Clayton. He holds 13 team records, including most receptions in a season (84), most receiving yards in a game (189) and the longest reception in team history (97-yards). Clayton’s career was cut short due to injuries but his legacy lives on throughout Dolphins country.
This concludes our list of 15 secrets about Miami Dolphins Football. From legendary Hall of Fame players, iconic Hard Rock Stadium and passionate Dolfanatics, one thing is for sure: there’s no shortage of exciting things happening in South Florida when it comes to America’s favorite game. Go Phins!