Dan Marino: Career retrospective

Marino grew up in Pittsburgh, the place he performed each soccer and baseball. In truth, he was chosen within the fourth spherical of the 1979 MLB Draft by the Kansas City Royals. However, Marino declined the chance to play professional baseball to play quarterback for his hometown group, the Pitt Panthers.

Marino began as a freshman, and amongst his accomplishments was main the Panthers to a win over West Virginia within the Backyard Brawl. In his sophomore marketing campaign, Marino was surrounded by expertise, together with three future Pro Bowl offensive linemen. Pitt would end that 12 months ranked second within the AP ballot. As a junior, Marino threw a game-winning landing late within the Sugar Bowl to earn a win over seventh-ranked Georgia. He completed fourth within the Heisman voting that 12 months.

After Marino’s junior season, coach Jackie Sherrill moved from Pitt to Texas A&M, and the group suffered consequently. While Pitt nonetheless went 9-3, it had misplaced three video games whole in Marino’s first three campaigns. The season ended with a 7-3 loss to SMU within the Cotton Bowl, and Marino dropped to ninth within the Heisman voting.

Marino’s fall within the 1983 NFL Draft is legendary at this level. While his faculty numbers have been nice, attributable to a dip in his senior season and a few rumors of leisure drug use trigger some considerations. It’s one factor that John Elway and Jim Kelly have been drafted earlier than him. However, Marino was the sixth quarterback taken within the first spherical of 1983. The Miami Dolphins lastly grabbed him with the twenty seventh choose. It could be arguably the most important quarterback steal till Tom Brady.

Perhaps attributable to his fall within the NFL Draft, the Los Angeles Express determined to attempt to lure Marino over to the newly-formed USFL. In truth, Marino was the first-ever choose within the inaugural USFL Draft. Despite this truth, Marino determined to eschew the USFL to signal with the Dolphins.

Marino was the backup for the Dolphins when the 1983 season began, however in Week 6 he took over because the starter for David Woodley and by no means regarded again. Despite the late begin, he would grow to be a Pro Bowler and make the second All-Pro group. In truth, Marino was so spectacular he led the AFC in passing yards.

Marino’s rookie season was spectacular. His sophomore season was, to that time, the most effective season a quarterback had ever had. The quarterback broke six full-season NFL information. In addition to throwing for 48 touchdowns, Marino grew to become the primary quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. While his information have since been damaged, they stood for many years, and Marino was named MVP for the 14-2 Dolphins.

After his MVP-winning season, Marino and the Dolphins made it to Super Bowl XIX. Miami was dealing with off with the juggernaut San Francisco 49ers, led by Joe Montana. The Dolphins misplaced soundly 38-16, nevertheless it was solely Marino’s second season. Surely there could be extra Super Bowls to come back. Instead, Marino and the Dolphins would by no means return to the championship sport.

The 1986 season could be the third season in a row the place Marino led the NFL in landing passes. He threw 44 touchdowns in whole, however early in that 12 months, he threw his a hundredth passing rating. Marino hit that mark in 44 video games, sooner than any quarterback earlier than him.

The subsequent few seasons went advantageous for Marino, however nothing of specific word occurred. In 1992, Marino threw for less than 24 touchdowns, however he tossed for 4,116 yards. This led the NFL, and it was the fifth and remaining time he achieved that. The Dolphins made it to the AFC title sport however fell in need of a Super Bowl look.

Marino had been a wholesome quarterback in his profession, however the 1993 season was a tough one for him. While taking part in in opposition to the Cleveland Browns, Marino suffered a torn Achilles tendon, a very robust damage. This put the quarterback out for the season.

Marino was prepared for the season opener of the 1994 season, and he regarded no worse for the wear and tear. Squaring off with division rival New England, Marino threw for 473 yards and 5 touchdowns in a win. That season, he would win Comeback Player of the Year.

A few seasons later, in November of 1996 to be particular, Marino grew to become the primary quarterback to ever throw for over 50,000 yards in his profession. Eventually, Marino would additionally go 60,000 yards, however that doesn’t have the identical ring as 50,000 now, does it?

A few years later, Marino crossed one other milestone. In 1998, he accomplished a seven-yard landing go to O.J. McDuffie in opposition to the New Orleans Saints. This was his four-hundredth landing, one other milestone by no means earlier than seen within the NFL. Eventually, Drew Brees would throw his four-hundredth landing as a Saint.

As the 1999 season started, Marino was on his final legs. Never a cellular quarterback, a prolonged NFL profession was sporting on him. Still, he managed to guide the Dolphins again to the playoffs. Miami pulled off a street win within the first spherical in opposition to the Seahawks (earlier than they moved to the NFC), however then it needed to face the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags completely trounced the Dolphins by a rating of 62-7. Marino solely performed one collection within the second half, an ignominious solution to finish a profession. Not only for Marino, both. Jimmy Johnson retired the day after the Jacksonville loss.

Did you recognize Marino virtually pulled a Brett Favre? After a whole profession spent with one group, Marino had supplied from the Vikings, Buccaneers, and the Steelers. While he thought of signing on with the Vikings, as an alternative Marino determined to retire having by no means performed a down for a group apart from the Dolphins.

After retiring, Marino hung out on tv as an analyst. Primarily, he was on CBS’ Sunday pregame present from 2002 via 2013. Of course, these aren’t the media appearances we wish to discuss. We all know that Marino had a job in “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective,” however he additionally cameoed in “Bad Boys II,” “Holy Man,” and along with his voice on “The Simpsons.” Oh, and let’s not overlook that Hootie & the Blowfish music video.

As his NFL profession was nearing a detailed, Marino determined to throw his hat within the ring of auto racing. Along with driver Bill Elliott, Marino based Elliott-Marino Motorsports. Naturally, the automotive was quantity 13, similar to the quarterback, and the automotive was additionally in Dolphins colours. It was not a very good match for Marino, although. The group solely lasted via the 1998 season.

In 2003, Marino was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. The subsequent 12 months, he was enshrined within the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Of course, each the Panthers and the Dolphins have retired Marino’s quantity 13. Also, the Dolphins now play on a road referred to as Dan Marino Boulevard, and there’s a statue of him outdoors the stadium as effectively.

Yes, Marino solely made it to 1 Super Bowl, and he didn’t win. That’s a group matter, although. The quarterback gained an MVP, made eight All-Pro groups, and 9 Pro Bowls. He led the league in passing yards 5 instances and passing touchdowns thrice. When he retired, Marino owned principally each essential passing file. The rise in passing within the NFL has led to Marino falling down some leaderboards, although he’s nonetheless within the high 10 in profession passing yards and touchdowns. Not dangerous for the sixth quarterback taken within the 1983 NFL Draft.