1984
March 5
Miami Dolphin Owner Joseph Robbie announces plans to build a new multi-purpose stadium in north Dade County. Mr. Robbie also announces acquisition of the land and discusses possible stadium funding.
June 24
Running back David Overstreet is killed in an automobile accident in Winona, Texas.
October 7
The Dolphins beat Pittsburgh 31-7 to move Head Coach Don Shula into third place on the NFL's list for all-time winningest coaches.
October 21
Wide receiver Nat Moore catches a 19-yard TD pass from QB Dan Marino for the
58th touchdown of his Dolphin career, surpassing Larry Csonka's all-time club
record of 57.
November 11
The Dolphins remain the NFL's only unbeaten team as they improve their record to 11-0 (16 straight regular-season wins) with a 24-23 victory over Philadelphia. DE Doug Betters' block of an Eagle PAT with 1:52 remaining in the game seals the win.
December 2
The Dolphins lose a 45-34 decision to the Raiders, but QB Dan Marino breaks
the all- time NFL record for TD passes in a season with his 37th. His record-breaking
touchdown pass, which came on a four-yard toss to Jimmy Cefalo in the first
quarter, was the first of four on the day for Marino as he reached the 40-touchdown
plateau. He also shatters Dolphin single-game records for most yards passing
(470), most completions (35) and most attempts (57).
December 17
Miami ends the regular season with the best record in the AFC (14-2) following
a 28- 21 victory over Dallas. WR Mark Clayton catches three touchdown passes
to give him 18 for the season as he eclipses the all-time NFL mark in that category.
Dan Marino becomes the first-ever NFL quarterback to pass for over 5,000 yards
in a season as he ends up with 5,084. The most prolific passing season in NFL
history also consists of 48 touchdown passes, 564 attempts, 362 completions
and only 17 interceptions for a franchise record passer rating of 108.9. Both
Clayton (73-1,389) and WR Mark Duper (71-1,306) surpass prior Dolphin records
for receptions and reception yardage in one season.
December 20
QB Dan Marino is named as the NFL's Most Valuable Player by the Associated Press.
1985
January 6
The Dolphins defeat the Steelers 45-28 in the AFC Championship game in Miami to earn a berth in Super Bowl XIX.
January 8
Joseph Robbie gives the go-ahead to prepare final plans and specifications to construct the new 75,000-seat Dolphin Stadium.
January 20
The Dolphins drop a 38-16 decision to the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XIX before 84,059 fans at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, California.
February 15
Miami names 42-year-old Mel Phillips as its new defensive backfield coach. Phillips comes to the Dolphins after five seasons in the same capacity for the Detroit Lions.
March 14
Following a presentation led by Joseph Robbie to NFL owners at the league meetings in Phoenix, Miami is selected as the site for Super Bowl XXIII (1989).
September 29
In a game billed nationally as "Marino-Elway I," Miami's Dan Marino wins this one over Denver, 30-26, completing 25 of 43 passes for three TDs and a season-best 390 yards. Veteran WR Nat Moore also produces his top performance of 1985 with the 12th 100-plus yard game of his career. WR Vince Heflin's first- ever NFL TD, a 46-yard catch, proves to be the game-winner.
October 9
The Dolphins acquire All-Pro linebacker Hugh Green from Tampa Bay in exchange for a first- and second-round draft pick in 1986.
November 10
Wide receiver Mark Duper, in his first game back after being sidelined for seven
weeks with a broken leg, establishes a new Dolphin record by gaining 217 receiving
yards. In addition, his 50-yard scoring catch from Dan Marino with less than
a minute remaining gives the Dolphins a 21-17 win over the Jets and the start
of an eight-game winning streak.
December 1
Owner Joseph Robbie officially breaks ground on the new 75,000-seat Dolphin Stadium.
December 2
Led by a swarming defense that produces six sacks and three interceptions, the Dolphins administer the only defeat to be suffered by the eventual Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears, 38-24. A season-high Orange Bowl crowd of 75,594 witness the Monday night affair.
December 8
The Dolphins record a 34-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field.
The mercury at kickoff registers 23 degrees, marking the coldest conditions
in which the Dolphins have won a game in franchise history.
December 31
Owner Joseph Robbie obtains the construction loan and is granted permanent financing
for the new Dolphin Stadium.
1986
January 4
The Dolphins rally from a 21-3 deficit to defeat the Cleveland Browns 24-21 in an AFC divisional playoff game. Miami is led offensively by Tony Nathan's 10 receptions for 101 yards and rookie Ron Davenport's two touchdowns.
January 12
Despite 20 tackles by LB Bob Brudzinski, the Dolphins commit six turnovers and lose 31-14 to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship game before 74,978 fans in the Orange Bowl. It marks Miami's first loss in an AFC title game in six tries.
January 21
Dolphin C Dwight Stephenson is named the recipient of the NFL's Man of the Year award at a press conference in New Orleans. The award is in recognition of Stephenson's outstanding performance on the playing field and in the community.
January 22
The Dolphins announce the retirement of Defensive Line Coach Mike Scarry, a member of Don Shula's staff since 1970. Dan Sekanovich, formerly of the Jets and Falcons, is named to replace him.
February 19
Miami appoints Receivers and Quarterbacks Coach David Shula to the position of Assistant Head Coach. In addition, the club names Mike Westhoff as the Special Teams/Tight Ends Coach.
June 3
Owner Joseph Robbie plants a ceremonial 30-foot Royal Palm tree to begin a million dollar beautification project near Dolphin Stadium.
September 6
Dan Marino signs a multi-year contract to remain as QB of the Dolphins. Two days before, Marino's wife, Claire, had given birth to the couple's first child -- Daniel Charles.
September 21
Miami suffers a heart-breaking 51-45 overtime loss to the N.Y Jets in the Meadowlands as Dan Marino reaches 1,500 career attempts to qualify as the NFL's top-ranked passer of all-time. Marino finishes the afternoon 30 of 50 for 448 yards and six TDs. The six TDs are a personal high for Marino and tie the team record held by Bob Griese. Mark Duper (154) and Mark Clayton (174) each have over 100 yards receiving in the game. Standout LB Hugh Green suffers a knee injury which sidelines him for the season.
October 12
In what was billed as "Marino-Kelly I," the Dolphins and Dan Marino (24 of 41 for 337 yards) defeat the Buffalo Bills and Jim Kelly (20 of 28 for 218 yards, two INTs) 27-14 at the Orange Bowl.
November 24
The N.Y. Jets enter the Orange Bowl with a nine-game winning streak and the league's best record at 10-1. They leave with a 45-3 loss as Lorenzo Hampton rushes for 148 yards and two TDs on 19 carries (7.8 average) including a 54-yard TD run. Hampton's 100 yards snap a streak of 36 regular-season games (41 overall) for Miami without a 100-yard rusher. Marino completes a personal-high 80.6 percent of his passes (29 of 36) for 288 yards and four TDs.
November 25
Less than 24 hours after the memorable 45-3 win over the Jets, General Manager Mike Robbie announces at a press conference that Don Shula has signed a multi-year contract to remain as head coach.
December 14
Dan Marino sets an NFL career record with the seventh 400-yard game of his career as he passes for 403 yards in a thrilling 37-31 overtime win in Anaheim, Calif., over the playoff-bound L.A. Rams. Marino completes 29 of 46 with five TDs, including a 20-yarder to Mark Duper in OT to win the game. Marino is named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for his efforts.
December 22
The Dolphins play their final game in the Orange Bowl - a 34-27 loss to the New England Patriots. New England captures the AFC East title with the win. The Dolphins finish 21 years in the Orange Bowl with an impressive 110-38-3 (.738) regular-season record. Marino sets NFL single-season records for completions (378) and attempts (623).
