Last week, I asked the following question about your fandom and the most memorable moment associated with it, whether you’ve been a long-time fan or have recently become a fan of the Miami Dolphins:
What is YOUR all-time favorite or most memorable moment as a Miami Dolphins fan?
Below are some of your thoughts and answers-
IWLU272 has a couple of memories. I, too, have many memories tied to the game that Cowboys fans call the “Leon Lett Game.” I had to work that day bartending, but the restaurant that my bar was in was dead due to the ice storm. There was a TV in the bar where I watched the entire game because we were dead and there was nothing else to do. The restaurant was located in Bedford, Texas, about halfway between Fort Worth and Dallas. Although my coworkers were displeased with the outcome, I still celebrated a pretty good Thanksgiving, despite having to work. When I finally had to head home late that evening, my less-than-10-minute drive took me about three hours in the ice, as my 280Z, while a ton of fun to drive in my early 20s, was not designed to be driven on solid ice.
I have two;
Miami defeating the Chiefs in the 1971divisional playoff game on Christmas day. I remember as a kid, the whole neighborhood was out in the streets banging on pots and pans and blowing horns when the Phins won.
Second; Leon Lett allowing the Phins to beat the Cowboys on Thanks giving day. My father-in-law bet me that the Cowboys would win, he was so pissed he welched on the bet.
Mrcogburn recalls sadness.
Thanks for making this the most memorable moment (not happiest game). The January 2, 1982 division playoff round against the Chargers was the defining moment for me. Down 24-0 in the first quarter, it looked like a complete blowout by Dan Fouts and the Bolts. Then came the magical Hook and Ladder/Lateral (Strock to Harris to Nathan). Never seen anything like it pre-Marino. Filled me with indescribable joy and hope. But alas, it was just a moment, since they would lose because Ray Finkel (Uwe Von Schamann) missed a gimme 35 yd field goal in OT. Of course he did.
That game became emblematic of the Dolphins for all my 60 yrs of fanhood. Victory has almost always been within their grasp…they just can never seem to finish.
But there have been “moments.”
finfanfromsiam has been around for the whole thing.
Evening! Superbowls 72’ and 73’, The fake spike! Especially cause it was against the Jests!
ricks813, like Clark, has been a fan for a long time.
“The Dolphins Are Super” message on the big screen when the team finished off the perfect season in the Super Bowl.
dedstrk316, like me, has some memories of watching games from work. I also vividly remember the ’85 Bears game. I stayed up late to watch the entire game, as it was a Monday Night game, and then skipped school the next day to sleep in.
My most memorable experience was (more than just a moment) working every Sunday Publix in the produce department in the 90’s and listening to the game on a small radio. Back then didn’t get a truck for produce on Sunday so it was very slow. Store manager would say “stay in back as much as you can and give me updates. Benny can handle the floor.” So I cleaned the backroom up, did reports, etc and listened to the game and Pete would call me every 15 minutes or so on the “red line”.
If I had on specific memory it would be the feeling of going to the Super Bowl. I declined to go to Disney World because I didn’t want to miss the game. After the loss i said “ah we will win it we have Dan Marino.” FFFFFFFFFF still waiting.
And of course the 85 Bears game.
coluccim has a great Keith Byars memory!
Byars making snow angels on Thanksgiving in Dallas
Marino_#13 remembers Marino’s triumphant return from injury!
My favorite memories are really the Marino/Shula era . So many great games, and many I witnessed in person either at the OB or JRS. How about the season opener in 1994? The mud game against the Pats. Coming off a season ending injury, Marino hobbled around basically on 1 foot with a repaired Achilles, and throws for 473 yards and 5 tds- 3 to Fryar and one on a 4th down with just a few minutes remaining. Ended any talk of Marino being done or not the same QB. I think he knew what was being said, and classic Danny went out there and proved he was still the best qb ever!
SlayerNation1, like many of us, was fortunate enough to be around for some of the great times under Marino/Shula.
https://youtu.be/muse9wmuueM?si=_9lT7Pt_N6q6wzOG
‘85 Bears MNF is hard to top. I had just turned 12, this was back when MNF was an event every week, not the watered down, overproduced product today. My Brother, Father and I made it appointment TV (kickoff was 9pm back then). Csonk and Company roaming the sidelines, Orange Bowl in full throat start to finish. Surreal.
1994 @NYJ “fake spike” game. Oddly, I remember this game for other reasons than the fake spike, which was novel, but not the story.
This game was quintessential Marino.
I urge a rewatch of this game for Marino/Shula at their best.
On the road, division, inclement weather, Marv Albert/Paul Maguire: the Dolphins spot NYJ 17 point lead and were absolute no shows for 1.5 quarters.
Forget the fake spike which was a novel yet pedestrian throw. Watch Marino’s second TD throw to Ingram over Aaron Glenn, followed by 2P conversion to Fryar over Glenn, then the third TD to Ingram over Hasty. They are the three sickest scoring passes I have witnessed, just filthy stuff.
Maguires real time reactions really make them indelible as they balance between awe, broadcaster and fan.
The fact the three passes were in one game is just otherworldly.
Also, I distinctly remember TimBo was an animal in the second half.
David7777 is another of us who remembers the ’85 Bears game as a significant moment in the history of our favorite team.
The 1985 Chicago Bears would have had a Perfect Season if not for the Miami Dolphins defending their crown. I will never forget that game. Laughed the entire time. Not only did we win the game, we thoroughly embarrassed their vaunted defense.
Jptapt goes all the way back to ‘71 for his moment.
AFC Divisional Playoff between the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day, 1971. Garo Yepremian kicking the winning field goal in second overtime. Longest game in NFL history.
That’s our random ten comments, but there were many other great answers and memories in the comments section of the original post. If you missed the original post, please check it out HERE to see some of your fellow Phins fans’ stories. Thank you to everyone who answered our question of the day and shared their personal stories and memories.
