No pro football club in history ever advanced more quickly from the first-year dregs every expansion team faces to the ultimate achievement in its sport than the Miami Dolphins did in the six-year period between 1966 and 1972. In 1966, they began their pro football life as the ninth member of the American Football League. Six years later, Miami became the only National Football League team ever to record a perfect season.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins won the AFC Eastern division and AFC championships and then defeated the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII to complete an unblemished 17-0-0 record. The Dolphins, who were founded by Joseph Robbie, also got off to a perfect start in the first game of their first AFL season when running back Joe Auer returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. But the Miami team returned to reality even before the end of its first game. Oakland rallied to win and the Dolphins finished their first season with a 4-10 record.
George Wilson was the Dolphins' first coach. He finished his four-year AFL tenure after the 1969 season with a 15-39-2 record. But those were not wasted years for the Dolphins because they were steadily adding new talent -- quarterback Bob Griese in 1967, running back Larry Csonka in 1968 and guard Larry Little in 1969 -- that would eventually turn them into winners.
The transition from losing to winning came in just one season in 1970 when new coach Don Shula led the Dolphins to an AFC wild-card playoff berth with a 10-4 record. Miami then followed with three straight AFC championships in 1971, 1972 and 1973 and victories in Super Bowls VII and VIII. Their combined 1972-73 record was 32-2, also an all-time mark. From 1970 to 1974, their cumulative record was 65-15-1.
There is no telling what heights the Dolphins might have reached had not three of their finest stars, Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield, defected to the rival World Football League after the 1974 season. Miami never again reached the world championship level the Dolphins attained in 1972 and 1973. But Shula, who in 1993 surpassed George Halas' record of 324 coaching victories to become the all-time leader, kept the Dolphins among the league's elite year after year.
The Dolphins since 1970 have won 13 AFC Eastern division championships and five AFC titles. In the 1984 season, quarterback Dan Marino threw a then-record 48 touchdown passes.
The Dolphins first playing home was the Orange Bowl in Miami. Fan support was excellent, in 1973, the Dolphins established an NFL record with 74,961 season ticket sales. But Robbie had long dreamed of his own privately-funded stadium and, on Aug. 16, 1987, he proudly unveiled a new 73,000-seat stadium. Two years later, the stadium served as the site for Super Bowl XXIII and again hosted a Super Bowl following the 1994, 2006 and 2009 seasons.
A resurgence of success has come about in Miami, ending an eifht-year playoff drought in 2016 and another drought, of six years, in 2022. The franchise looks to build on momentum under head coach Mick McDaniel, who was hired in 2022.
FAQs
The Chicago Bears have the most inductees, with 32 (40, including players with minor portion of their career with team).
Are there any special teams players in the NFL Hall of Fame? ›
Special teams players in the Hall of Fame
There are two kickers (Morten Andersen and Jan Stenerud) and one punter (Ray Guy) in the Hall of Fame. Two other players who were placekickers, but also played other positions, are enshrined: George Blanda (who played quarterback) and Lou Groza (who played offensive tackle).
Are there any NFL teams without a Hall of Famer? ›
Are there any NFL teams without a Hall of Famer? Currently, there are three teams in the NFL that do not have a Hall of Famer from their ranks. These three teams are the Jacksonville Jaguars, Carolina Panthers, and Houston Texans.
Why is Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio? ›
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio, for three primary reasons: (1) the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League, was founded in Canton on Sept. 17, 1920; (2) the Canton Bulldogs were an early pro football power, even before the days of the NFL.
Who is the oldest NFL team? ›
The Cardinals franchise dates to 1898, making it the oldest professional football club in the NFL.
Will Jason Kelce make the Hall of Fame? ›
Jason Kelce is one of the best centers in NFL history. The Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman is right up there with Jim Langer, Jim Otto, or Mike Webster, and his name will almost certainly join those legends in the Hall of Fame in 2029.
Who is the only kicker in the NFL Hall of Fame? ›
Jan Stenerud and Morten Andersen are the only full-time kickers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Stenerud got his call to the Hall in 1991 after playing 19 NFL seasons from 1966 to 1985: 13 with the Kansas City Chiefs, four with the Green Bay Packers and two with the Minnesota Vikings.
Is Eli Manning a hall of famer? ›
Eli Manning, Marshawn Lynch and Eligible Players for 2025 Hall of Fame Class. Eli Manning and Marshawn Lynch are among the high-profile players who will be eligible for ballot consideration for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025.
Who is the only person in the NFL and MLB Hall of Fame? ›
About Cal Hubbard
But it was his remarkable ability to arbitrate the action on the baseball diamond that propelled Hubbard to become the only man in both the Pro Football and Baseball Halls of Fame.
Is Patrick Mahomes a future Hall of Famer? ›
So yeah, Mahomes is getting into the Hall of Fame if he retires today, and he's probably a first-ballot selection. If he leads the Chiefs to a win in Super Bowl LVIII, we can safely change probably into definitely.
Ken Anderson (1981)
Why Anderson didn't make the HOF: If there's any player on this list that has a legitimate Hall of Fame candidacy, it's Anderson. Anderson made four Pro Bowls, led the league in completion percentage three times, passer rating four times, and yards per attempt twice.
What Super Bowl had the most Hall of Famers? ›
Super Bowl XIII can arguably be called the greatest collection of NFL talent for a game. In addition to coaches Noll and Landry, 17 players would end up being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Which state is not home to an NFL team? ›
Arkansas, Alaska, Alabama, Oregon, Utah, Oklahoma, Kansas, Connecticut, Maine, Montana, N. Dakota, S. Dakota, New Mexico, Idaho,Iowa, Mississippi, Rhode Island, Delaware and Wyoming.
How much does it cost to get in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio? ›
Admission to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio is approx. $45/person (less for kids). Open: Daily from Memorial Day – Labor Day from 9am to 8pm and 9-5 the rest of the year.
Why is the Football Hall of Fame in Cleveland? ›
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is located in Canton, Ohio, for three primary reasons; (1) the American Professional Football Association, later renamed the National Football League, was founded in Canton on September 17, 1920. (2) the Canton Bulldogs were an early-day pro football power, even before the days of the NFL.
How many members of the Chicago Bears are in the Hall of Fame? ›
The Bears have the most Hall of Famers with 37 players (where 30 made their primary contribution with Chicago), which most recently includes the 2020 inductions of Jimbo Covert and Ed Sprinkle.
How many players from the Chicago Bears are in the Hall of Fame? ›
With 39 Hall of Famers, the Bears still own the most HOFs in the NFL. Here are the top ten teams with the most Hall of Famers: Chicago Bears - 39.
How many NFL football players are in the Hall of Fame? ›
The Pro Football Hall of Fame's charter class of 17 members was enshrined on September 7, 1963. With the enshrinement of the Class of 2023, there are 371 members in the Hall of Fame.
How many 49ers are in the Hall of Fame? ›
San Francisco 49ers in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: 29.
The 1972 Miami Dolphins won the AFC Eastern division and AFC championships and then defeated the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII to complete an unblemished 17-0-0 record. The Dolphins, who were founded by Joseph Robbie, also got off to a perfect start in the first game of their first AFL season when running back Joe Auer returned the opening kickoff for a 95-yard touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. But the Miami team returned to reality even before the end of its first game. Oakland rallied to win and the Dolphins finished their first season with a 4-10 record.