NFL: Miami Dolphins Set To Make Tribute To Dan

By Joe Frisaro

UsFANS.com Managing Editor

Dan Marino knows a few things about numbers.

He holds all the major passing records in NFL history – 4,967 completions, 8,358 attempts, 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns. He ranks second in wins as a starter, posting a 147-93 record.

But not many people know the story of how Marino started wearing the number on his back – 13. It all started when he was playing Little League baseball in Pittsburgh, Pa. Back then, Marino’s dad was also his coach. There were 15 players on the team, and 15 jerseys.

Marino’s dad made the future Hall of Fame quarterback take the number left over.

“Nowadays, I guess, if your father’s the coach, they would give you first choice of numbers,” Marino said. “My dad made me pick last. So I would get No. 13 because no other kids wanted to wear it. … I never even thought twice about it.”

No. 13 certainly wasn’t unlucky for Marino. In 17 brilliant seasons with the Miami Dolphins, Marino developed into one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

The Dolphins officially will retire Marino’s number Sunday at Pro Player Stadium at halftime of the Miami-Baltimore Ravens’ game.

“I’ve never been one who tries to bring attention to myself,” said Marino, who turned 39 on Friday. “Sometimes all the attention can be a little uncomfortable. You just have to enjoy the moment, because this only happens one time in your life.”

Dolphins owner H. Wayne Huizenga is planning on making the Marino tribute the biggest, most extravagant for a retired player in NFL history.

Hired to run the festivities is Michael Olmstead, president of Olmstead Productions of Sunnyvale, Calif. Olmstead’s company handled John Elway’s retirement bash a year ago in Denver.

Olmstead said Huizenga wants to make the Marino tribute twice as big.

“The best for the best,” Olmstead said.

The 19-minute halftime ceremony will be televised on ESPN. It will feature more than 800 on-field performers, dance routines, a Marino highlight video, music and fireworks.

Also that night, Marino’s name will be added to the Dolphins Honor Roll, a ring of distinguished names that circles the insides of Pro Player Stadium. And, a life size statue of Marino will be unveiled and then placed in front of the stadium.

In August, a street leading into Pro Player Stadium was named after Marino.

Marino is staying busy in retirement playing golf and handling a TV gig with HBO’s Inside the NFL. Learning broadcasting is an adjustment, because Marino has to communicate key points in a few seconds.

“I know how to talk about football,” Marino said. “I know a lot about football. But you get eight to 10 seconds to get your point across. A lot of times I feel I have a lot more information to give.”

Last weekend, Marino watched six or seven games, breaking down offenses and reading the schemes.

A trend he sees is the influx of mobile, young quarterbacks, like Daunte Culpepper in Minnesota.

“A lot of young guys, they’re very mobile,” Marino said. “I think the trend in the NFL now is to have guys who are a little more mobile who can make plays, because the speed of the game is changing that much. And that’s what offensive coordinators are looking to do in their schemes – get guys, when they have a chance to run, to get them running out of the pocket.”

In retrospect, Marino said his most special year was 1984, when he set single-season NFL records with 48 TD passes and 5,000-passing yards.

Last year, Kurt Warner of the Rams became just the second player to toss more than 40 TD passes in a season.

Marino says Warner has a shot to at least challenge his 1984 records.

“With the talent that they have on offense, with Marshall Faulk especially, he makes such a big difference in their offense, (Warner) could get close,” Marino said. “He has a chance to do it, or get close.”

Asked if he would cheer Warner if he approached those numbers, Marino – ever a competitor – said: “That’s an unfair question.”

Article courtesy of UsFANS.com