In 1983, Betters recorded 16 sacks and was named as the NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award, one of just three players in team history to earn the award. He was also selected to the AFC Pro Bowl team that year. In '83 and '84, Betters was named the Miami Dolphins "Outstanding Defensive Lineman."

Overall, Betters played 146 NFL games and made 65.5 career sacks, which is the third-highest total in the history of the franchise. He was named by Dol-Fans to the team's Silver Anniversary Team in 1990.

In 1998, Betters suffered a spinal cord injury while skiing at Big Mountain in Whitefish, Montana. Betters founded the Doug Betters Winter Classic Organization in 1985, which provides money for children in need of medical care. Betters is also involved with numerous other charitable organizations, including the Special Olympics and United Way.

Betters was inducted into the Dolphins Honor Roll during a ceremony at Sun Life Stadium on December 14, 2008.