Dan Marino started his Miami Dolphins career strong by winning Rookie of the Year in 1983. During his sophomore season, many analysts expected a “sophomore jinx,” but Dan Marino picked up right where he left off. In 1984 he won the 1984 NFL MVP award and led the Dolphins to the Super Bowl. With only two years of experience in the NFL, Dan Marino was already considered one of the best quarterbacks in the league.
How it all began:
If your friends ever picked you last in school, that’s how Dan Marino must have felt during the 1983 draft. The star quarterback of the Pittsburgh Panthers watched in despair as team after team passed him up in the draft. Finally, at the 27th pick, the Miami Dolphins were elated to still have a chance to select Marino.
Never before in NFL history has a first-year quarterback made the kind of instant impact he did with the Dolphins during his rookie season. Marino played at a level of maturity far beyond his age and led the Dolphins to the second-best record in the NFL. Marino made 26 other teams feel foolish for passing him up in the draft. In 1984, Marino led the league in passer rating and launched his career to unprecedented levels. He set National Football League single-season records for completions, yards, and TDs.
In the AFC Championship Game, the Miami Dolphins threw for a record 421 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. When the season ended, Marino was voted the most popular player in football and was also awarded the NFL Player of the Year.
Dan Marino was a model of consistency throughout his career and was the most spectacular quarterback of his generation. From the beginning, Miami Dolphin fans had an elite quarterback who was destined to break records.
Dan Marino Timeline Biography and Interesting Career Highlights
Age 8: Marino played his first football game at St. Regis Grade School
Age 16: Was a football and baseball lyricist for Central Catholic
Age 17: Marino was drafted by the Kansas City Royals, but decides to attend the University of Pittsburgh on scholarship.
Age 21: Sets the Pittsburgh Panthers passing record with 37 touchdowns. He finishes fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting.
Age 22: Selected #27 in the draft by the Miami Dolphins
1983: Receives the Rookie of the Year award
1984: Leads the Dolphins to the Superbowl and receives the NFL MVP award.
1991: Sets a durability record by starting his 117th straight game.
Life after football:
After Dan Marino quit football, he didn’t walk off into the sunset or spend his days golfing. Marino has held many broadcast jobs, including an analyst for the CBS Sunday pregame Show. He also served as an analyst on HBA’s Inside the NFL.
