History of Miami Dolphins in Timeline

The Miami Dolphins are a professional American football team competing in the NFL as part of the AFC East division. Based in Miami Gardens, Florida, they play their home games at Hard Rock Stadium. Owned by Stephen M. Ross, the Dolphins hold the distinction of being the oldest professional sports team in Florida and one of the first professional football teams in the southeast United States. Notably, they are the only AFC East team not to have originated as a charter member of the American Football League (AFL).

1946: Miami Seahawks Played in AAFC

In 1946, the Miami Seahawks played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) before becoming the Baltimore Colts.

1965: Miami Dolphins Franchise Awarded

In 1965, lawyer Joseph Robbie and actor Danny Thomas were awarded an expansion franchise in the American Football League (AFL) for $7.5 million, marking the creation of the Miami Dolphins.

1966: Dolphins Training Camp

During the summer of 1966, the Miami Dolphins' training camp was held in St. Pete Beach, with practices at Boca Ciega High School in Gulfport.

1966: Joe Robbie founder and owner of Miami Dolphins

From 1966 to 1989, Joe Robbie was the original founder and owner of the Miami Dolphins.

1966: Denny Sym's Sideline Debut

In 1966, Denny Sym, a devoted fan, began his 33-year run as a one-man sideline show for the Miami Dolphins, leading crowds in cheers and chants.

1966: Live dolphin appearance

In 1966, a live dolphin was situated in a water tank in the open end of the Orange Bowl to celebrate touchdowns and field goals.

1966: Debut of Original Team Colors, Logo, and Uniforms

In 1966, the Miami Dolphins debuted with their original team colors of aqua and coral, a logo featuring a sunburst with a leaping dolphin wearing a football helmet, and uniforms including white pants with aqua and orange stripes and either a white or aqua jersey.

1966: First Training Camp in St. Petersburg Beach

In 1966, the Miami Dolphins held their first training camp in St. Petersburg Beach.

1966: Dolphins Begin Play in the AFL

In 1966, the Miami Dolphins, founded by Joe Robbie and Danny Thomas, started playing in the American Football League (AFL).

1967: Dolphin Logo Centered

In the 1967 season, the dolphin in the Miami Dolphins' logo was centered on the sunburst, which was a change from the original design.

1968: Dolphin Head Placement Reverted

Between 1968 and 1973, the placement of the dolphin's head in the Miami Dolphins' logo reverted to its original position, away from the center of the sunburst.

1968: Dolphin removed from Orange Bowl

In 1968, the live dolphin named Flipper was removed from the Orange Bowl to save costs.

1970: Emergence as Dominant NFL Team

From 1970 onward, the Shula-led Dolphins became one of the most dominant teams in the NFL.

1970: Dolphins Join AFC East

In 1970, as the AFL merged with the NFL, the Miami Dolphins were assigned to the AFC East division in the NFL's American Football Conference.

1970: Joined National Football League

In 1970, the Miami Dolphins became part of the National Football League (NFL).

1970: Training Camp at Biscayne College

In 1970, the Miami Dolphins began holding their training camp at Biscayne College, which was later renamed St. Thomas University.

1970: Miami Dolphins Join NFL

In 1970, the Miami Dolphins joined the National Football League (NFL) as part of the AFL-NFL merger.

1972: "1972 Perfect Season Team 17–0" inductee

At the 40 year anniversary, Bill Arnsparger was enshrined into the Honor Roll. 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.

1972: Undefeated Season

In 1972, The Miami Dolphins achieved an undefeated season, finishing 17-0 and winning Super Bowl VII against the Washington Redskins, thanks in part to their inspiring fight song.

1972: Perfect Season and Super Bowl Win

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins achieved the first perfect season in NFL history, finishing with a 14-0 regular-season record and winning the Super Bowl.

1972: Pair of Games Against Kansas City Chiefs

In 1972, the Miami Dolphins won a pair of notable games against the Kansas City Chiefs, including "The Longest Game" at Municipal Stadium and the first regular season game at Arrowhead Stadium.

1972: Perfect Season Jersey

Starting with the 1972 perfect season, the Miami Dolphins primarily used white uniforms for road and daytime home games due to the South Florida heat.

1973: Dolphin Head Placement Reverted

Between 1968 and 1973, the placement of the dolphin's head in the Miami Dolphins' logo reverted to its original position, away from the center of the sunburst.

1974: Dolphin's Body Centered in Logo

By 1974, the dolphin's body in the Miami Dolphins' logo was centered on the sunburst in a slightly smaller logo than the 1967 version.

1976: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Founding

In 1976, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were founded, establishing a mellow in-state rivalry with the Miami Dolphins, who were the only two teams in Florida at the time.

1978: Debut of Dolphins Starbrites

In 1978, the Miami Dolphins cheerleaders, known collectively as the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, made their debut as the Dolphins Starbrites.

1982: AFC Championship

In 1982, the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets played in the AFC Championship, with Miami winning to face the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII.

1982: Snowplow Game

In 1982, the Miami Dolphins had a notable game against the New England Patriots known as the Snowplow Game.

1983: Dan Marino's Era Begins

In 1983, quarterback Dan Marino began his career with the Miami Dolphins, becoming one of the most prolific passers in NFL history.

1986: Move to Joe Robbie Stadium

After the 1986 season, the Miami Dolphins moved from the Orange Bowl to the new Joe Robbie Stadium.

1989: Joe Robbie founder and owner of Miami Dolphins

From 1966 to 1989, Joe Robbie was the original founder and owner of the Miami Dolphins.

1990: June Taylor's Retirement

In 1990, June Taylor, the founding choreographer of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders, retired from her position.

1992: "1972 Undefeated Team" enshrined into the Honor Roll

In 1992, at the 20-year anniversary, Miami's "1972 Undefeated Team" was enshrined into the Honor Roll.

1993: Stadium Sharing with Florida Marlins Begins

In 1993, the Miami Dolphins began sharing Joe Robbie Stadium with Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins (now known as the Miami Marlins).

1993: End of Training Camp at Biscayne College

In 1993, the Miami Dolphins concluded their training camp sessions at Biscayne College (later St. Thomas University).

1993: Miami Dolphins Training Facility Opens

In 1993, the Miami Dolphins opened their training facility at Nova Southeastern University in Davie.

1995: Jacksonville Jaguars Join the NFL

In 1995, the Jacksonville Jaguars joined the NFL, becoming the third team in Florida and adding another dimension to the state's football landscape with the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

1996: Jimmy Johnson Hired

Prior to the 1996 season, Jimmy Johnson was hired to replace Shula as head coach.

1996: Naming Rights Deals Begin

Starting in 1996, the venue that was Joe Robbie Stadium began undergoing multiple naming rights deals, leading to names such as Pro Player Stadium, Dolphins Stadium, and others.

April 18, 1997: Introduction of "The Dolphin" Mascot

On Friday, April 18, 1997, the first "official" mascot of the Miami Dolphins, known as "The Dolphin", was introduced.

June 4, 1997: Winning Mascot Name Announced

The winning entry of the "Name the Mascot" contest was announced at the annual Dolphins Awards Banquet on June 4, 1997.

1997: Postseason Appearance

In 1997, the Miami Dolphins improved to a 9-7 record and made the postseason, losing to the New England Patriots in the Wild Card Round.

1997: Logo Update

In 1997, the Miami Dolphins logo was updated with a simplified sunburst and a darker, more serious dolphin; the uniforms remained similar but featured a different block number font and navy drop shadows.

1998: First Game vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

In 1998, the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars, the only two AFC franchises in Florida, played their first game against each other on Monday Night Football.

1998: Postseason Appearance and Wild Card Win

In the 1998 season, the Miami Dolphins went 10-6, made the postseason, defeated the Bills in the Wild Card Round, and then lost to the Denver Broncos in the Divisional Round.

1999: Dan Marino Retires

After the 1999 season, quarterback Dan Marino retired from the Miami Dolphins, following a career with numerous league passing records.

1999: AFC Divisional Round Loss and Marino's Last Game

In 1999, the Miami Dolphins, as heavy underdogs with a 9-7 record, faced the 14-2 Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC Divisional Round, resulting in a 62-7 loss that marked the final game for Dolphins' quarterback Dan Marino.

1999: Postseason Appearance and Wild Card Win

In the 1999 season, the Miami Dolphins went 9-7, made the postseason, defeated the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card Round, and then fell to the Jacksonville Jaguars, marking Dan Marino's final game.

1999: Continued Success

Through 1999, the Shula-led Dolphins continued to be successful, with only two losing seasons.

2000: Dave Wannstedt Hired, AFC East Title

Going into the 2000 season, Dave Wannstedt was named head coach, leading the Miami Dolphins to an 11-5 record and an AFC East title, followed by a Wild Card win and a Divisional Round loss.

2000: Playoff Appearance and Division Title

In 2000, the Miami Dolphins made a playoff appearance and won a division title.

2000: Denny Sym's Final Season

The 2000 NFL season marked Denny Sym's last year as a one-man sideline show for the Miami Dolphins, concluding his 33-year presence.

2001: Playoff Appearance

In 2001, the Miami Dolphins made a playoff appearance.

2002: Colts Reassigned to AFC South

In 2002, as a result of the NFL's divisional realignment, the Indianapolis Colts were reassigned to the AFC South, which impacted their rivalry with the Miami Dolphins.

2002: Missed Postseason

In the 2002 season, the Miami Dolphins failed to make the postseason despite a 9-7 record.

2003: Patriots Dominance Begins

From 2003 to 2019, the New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady, dominated the AFC, winning most of the division titles.

2003: First Use of Orange Jersey

In 2003, the Miami Dolphins first used an orange jersey for a primetime game on a Sunday night against Washington, resulting in a win.

2003: Missed Postseason

In the 2003 season, the Miami Dolphins went 10-6 but missed the postseason.

2004: The Night that Courage Wore Orange

In 2004, the 2-11 Miami Dolphins upset the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots 29-28.

2004: Wannstedt Resigns

In the 2004 season, following a 1-8 start, Dave Wannstedt resigned as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

2005: Saban Hired

In 2005, Nick Saban, Bill Belichick's former Browns defensive coordinator, was hired as the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

2005: Nick Saban's First Season

In the 2005 season, Nick Saban coached the Miami Dolphins to a 9-7 record, missing the playoffs.

December 10, 2006: Reference to Previous Patriots Loss

December 10, 2006 is mentioned as the last time New England Patriots had a regular-season loss before being upset by the Dolphins in 2008.

2006: Domed Field Added to Training Facility

In 2006, the Miami Dolphins added a domed field to their training facility, allowing the team to practice during thunderstorms common in the area during the summer.

2006: Nick Saban's Second Season

In the 2006 season, Nick Saban coached the Miami Dolphins to a 6-10 record, missing the playoffs, before resigning.

March 18, 2007: Death of Denny Sym

Denny Sym, the longtime Miami Dolphins supporter and sideline showman, died on March 18, 2007, at the age of 72.

2007: Franchise-Worst Season

In the 2007 season, the Miami Dolphins had a franchise-worst 1-15 record, leading to the firing of head coach Cam Cameron.

2007: Patriots' Undefeated Regular Season

New England's 16-0 regular season in 2007 is mentioned, with the 1972 Dolphins as the only team to win the Super Bowl after an undefeated regular season.

2008: Battling for AFC East

In 2008, the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots battled for the AFC East division title.

2008: Playoff Appearance and Division Title

In 2008, the Miami Dolphins made a playoff appearance and won a division title.

2008: AFC East Title and Wild Card Loss

In the 2008 season, Tony Sparano led the Miami Dolphins to an 11-5 record and an AFC East title, with an upset win over the New England Patriots using the Wildcat offense, but lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild Card Round.

August 7, 2009: New Fight Song Unveiled

On August 7, 2009, the Miami Dolphins revealed a new fight song by T-Pain and Jimmy Buffett featuring Pitbull, intended to be introduced for the 2009 NFL season.

August 17, 2009: Debut of New Fight Song

On August 17, 2009, the new Miami Dolphins fight song was played during the preseason home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but it was met with boos.

August 22, 2009: New Fight Song Not Played

On August 22, 2009, the new Miami Dolphins fight song was not played during the second preseason game against the Carolina Panthers, following the negative reception it received in the first game.

2009: Switch to Black Shoes

In 2009, the Miami Dolphins switched to wearing black shoes for the first time since their early 1970s period, following a trend among NFL teams.

2009: Orange Jerseys Used for Win Against Jets

In 2009, the orange jerseys were used for a Monday night win against the New York Jets.

2009: Regression to 7-9 Record

In the 2009 season, the Miami Dolphins regressed to a 7-9 record.

April 2010: Launch of Special Teams Volunteer Program

In April 2010, the Miami Dolphins started Special Teams, the first volunteer program in the NFL, to mobilize community services with Dolphins staff, players, and alumni.

August 2010: Dolphins Television Network Launched

In August 2010, the Miami Dolphins launched its own regional TV network, the Dolphins Television Network, to carry preseason games and in-season content. It comprised of 10 South Florida TV stations.

2010: First Loss in Orange Jerseys

In 2010, the Miami Dolphins suffered their first loss while wearing orange jerseys in a Sunday night matchup with the New York Jets, and the original style orange jerseys were not worn again afterward.

2010: 7-9 Record

In the 2010 season, the Miami Dolphins had a 7-9 record.

2011: Return to White Shoes

By 2011, the Miami Dolphins had returned to wearing white shoes after switching to black shoes in 2009.

2011: Griese replaces Mandich on radio broadcast

In 2011, Bob Griese replaced Jim Mandich as color commentator on the radio broadcast team after Mandich's death.

2011: Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza Walk of Fame Established

In 2011, the Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza Walk of Fame was established to recognize the best of the Miami Dolphins alumni, including those in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Honor Roll, and the unsung heroes and community leaders.

2011: End of Stadium Sharing with Florida Marlins

In 2011, the Miami Dolphins' sharing of the stadium with the Florida Marlins (now Miami Marlins) came to an end.

2011: Sparano Fired

In the 2011 season, after a 4-9 start, Tony Sparano was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

2012: Joe Philbin Hired, 7-9 Record

Prior to the 2012 season, Joe Philbin was hired as head coach, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 7-9 record.

2012: Final Game in Original Style Uniforms

The Miami Dolphins' final game in the original style uniforms with block numbers and the iconic leaping dolphin logo was the last game of the 2012 season, a 28-0 loss to the New England Patriots.

2012: Uniforms Remained Consistent Through This Year

Through 2012, the Miami Dolphins logo and uniforms remained fairly consistent, maintaining the classic aqua and coral colors.

2013: 8-8 Record, Missed Postseason

In the 2013 season, the Miami Dolphins improved to an 8-8 record but still missed the postseason.

2013: New Logo and Uniforms Unveiled

Shortly before the 2013 NFL draft, the Miami Dolphins unveiled a new logo featuring a stylized aqua dolphin and heavily modified sunburst, along with new uniforms.

2014: 8-8 Record, Bill Lazor Added

In the 2014 season, the Miami Dolphins added Bill Lazor as offensive coordinator and finished with an 8-8 record.

2015: 50 Greatest Players Announced

In 2015, the Miami Dolphins announced the 50 greatest players in franchise history, voted on by South Florida Media and Miami Dolphin fans, during halftime on Monday Night Football between the Dolphins and the Giants.

2015: Return of 1970s Aqua Uniforms

In 2015, the Miami Dolphins brought back their 1970s aqua uniforms for a few select games.

2015: Philbin Fired

In the 2015 season, after a 1-3 start, Joe Philbin was fired as head coach of the Miami Dolphins.

2015: First Season in Renovated Hard Rock Stadium

The 2015-2016 season marked the first season in the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium, after a major overhaul costing over $400 million.

August 2016: Stadium Renamed Hard Rock Stadium

In August 2016, the stadium was renamed Hard Rock Stadium, continuing the trend of multiple naming rights deals for the venue.

September 29, 2016: Color Rush Uniform Debut

On September 29, 2016, the Miami Dolphins debuted their new Color Rush uniform in a Thursday Night Football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, marking the first time since 2010 that the team wore an all-orange uniform.

2016: Playoff Appearance

In 2016, the Miami Dolphins made a playoff appearance.

2016: Adam Gase Hired, Playoff Berth

In the 2016 season, Adam Gase was hired as head coach, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 10-6 record and a postseason berth, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round.

2017: Regression to 6-10 Record

In the 2017 season, the Miami Dolphins regressed to a 6-10 record.

2018: Inductees by yearly class

As of 2018, the Miami Dolphins have a list of inductees by yearly class.

2018: Modifications to Logo and Uniform Set

In 2018, the Miami Dolphins made slight modifications to the logo and uniform set, tweaking the shades of orange and aqua and removing navy blue from the color scheme, except in the logo.

2018: "Miracle in Miami" with Aqua Throwbacks

In 2018, the Miami Dolphins wore aqua throwback uniforms during the game known as the "Miracle in Miami" play against the New England Patriots.

2018: 7-9 Record

In the 2018 season, the Miami Dolphins finished with a 7-9 record.

2019: End of Patriots Dominance

Between 2003 and 2019, the New England Patriots, led by Tom Brady, dominated the AFC, winning 16 of 17 division titles.

2019: Brian Flores Hired

In the 2019 season, Brian Flores was hired as head coach, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 5-11 record.

2020: Drafted Tua Tagovailoa

In the 2020 season, the Miami Dolphins drafted Tua Tagovailoa and improved to a 10-6 record but missed the postseason.

2020: Tua Tagovailoa Drafted

In the 2020s, Tua Tagovailoa was drafted, leading a resurgent Miami Dolphins team.

2021: Jaguars Upset Victory over Dolphins in London

During the 2021 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars, despite a decline under coach Urban Meyer, achieved a comeback victory against the Miami Dolphins in London during week 6.

2021: Baptist Health Training Complex Opens

In 2021, the Miami Dolphins opened a new $135 million training facility called the Baptist Health Training Complex, located next to Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.

2021: 9-8 Record, Flores Fired

In the 2021 season, the Miami Dolphins went 9-8 but missed the postseason, leading to Brian Flores' firing as head coach.

2022: First Win Over Bills in 8 Games

In 2022, Tagovailoa led the Miami Dolphins to their first win over the Buffalo Bills in 8 games.

2022: Playoff Appearance

In 2022, the Miami Dolphins made a playoff appearance.

2022: Mike McDaniel Hired, Playoff Loss

In the 2022 season, Mike McDaniel was hired as head coach, leading the Miami Dolphins to a 9-8 record and a loss to the Bills in the Wild Card Round.

2023: Buccaneers Lead All-Time Series

As of the 2023 NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lead the all-time series against the Miami Dolphins with a record of 7-5.

2023: Radio coverage

As of the 2023 season, Miami Dolphins game radio coverage is carried on WINZ (940 AM) and WBGG-FM (105.9 FM). Games can also be heard in Spanish on WNMA (1210 AM).

2023: 11-6 Record, Playoff Loss

In the 2023 season, the Miami Dolphins improved to an 11-6 record but lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Wild Card Round.

December 2024: Dolphins Sell Stake to Private Equity

In December 2024, the Miami Dolphins, under owner Stephen M. Ross, sold 13% of the team at a valuation of $8.1 billion, including 10% to Ares Management, becoming one of the first NFL teams to sell a stake to outside private equity investors.