Miami Dolphins are a professional football team that plays in the National Football League (NFL) . The Dolphins compete in the East Division of the American Football Conference (AFC). The team plays its home games in Hard Rock Stadium at Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Dolphins began playing in 1966 as an expansion team in the American Football League (AFL). Miami entered the National Football League when the AFL and NFL merged in 1970. In that year, Don Shula became head coach of the team. Shula coached Miami through the 1995 season and became one of the most successful head coaches in NFL history.
Miami was a dominant team in the NFL from 1970 to 1974. The 1972 Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to go an entire season, including the playoffs, without losing or tying a game. The team won all 14 of its regular season games, two playoff games, and Super Bowl VII to finish the season undefeated in 17 games. The Dolphins repeated as NFL champions when they won Super Bowl VIII (played in 1974).
A new era of Miami success began in 1983, when the Dolphins drafted quarterback Dan Marino . In 17 seasons with the Dolphins, Marino set many NFL passing records and became recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He led Miami to the playoffs ten times from 1983 to 1999.
Other Miami Dolphins legends have included linebacker Nick Buoniconti (1969-1976), running back Larry Csonka (1968-1979), quarterback Bob Griese (1967-1980), guard Larry Little (1969-1980), Marino (1983-1999), safety Jake Scott (1970-1975), and linebacker Zach Thomas (1996-2007). Recent stars have included quarterback Ryan Tannehill, defensive end Jason Taylor, and linebacker Cameron Wake.
