The Miami Dolphins just started a new season. See what they looked like the first year

Jeff Kleinman
·1 min read
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Before Don Shula and Bob Griese and the rest of the Dolphins that won Super Bowls in the 1970s, there was the very first team.

In 1966, the new football franchise hit the Orange Bowl field in a magical way. On the very first play of the very first game, a Dolphins player well known to the home crowd took the opening kickoff for a touchdown.

It was all downhill from there, as the new team struggled to win under its first coach, George Wilson.

But the Miami Dolphins had arrived. And Flipper danced in the end zone to prove it.

Here’s a glimpse of what the inaugural season looked like through the archives of the Miami Herald:

Celebrations

Flipper, the mascot of the Miami Dolphins, tosses a football from his tank just outside one of the end zones at the Orange Bowl in 1966.
Flipper, the mascot of the Miami Dolphins, tosses a football from his tank just outside one of the end zones at the Orange Bowl in 1966.
Four-year-old Cory Proudfoot, Miami-Dade’s Easter Seal poster child, gets encouragement from Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie in 1966, the team’s inaugural year.
Four-year-old Cory Proudfoot, Miami-Dade’s Easter Seal poster child, gets encouragement from Miami Dolphins owner Joe Robbie in 1966, the team’s inaugural year.

Dolphins vs. Chargers

On Oct. 2, 1966, San Diego Charger fullback Gene Foster races for a six-yard gain and a first down in the first quarter the Miami Dolphins during their first season. Miami’s Ed Cooke trails behind Foster.
On Oct. 2, 1966, San Diego Charger fullback Gene Foster races for a six-yard gain and a first down in the first quarter the Miami Dolphins during their first season. Miami’s Ed Cooke trails behind Foster.

Magical first-ever play for the Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins returner Joe Auer takes the kickoff on the very first play of the first season in 1996, running 95 yards for a touchdown in front of 26,776 fans in the Orange Bowl. Auer played at Coral Gables High.
Miami Dolphins returner Joe Auer takes the kickoff on the very first play of the first season in 1996, running 95 yards for a touchdown in front of 26,776 fans in the Orange Bowl. Auer played at Coral Gables High.

First game in 1966

The Miami Dolphins play their first regular season game against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 2, 1966.
The Miami Dolphins play their first regular season game against the Oakland Raiders on Sept. 2, 1966.

Game against Kansas City Chiefs

On Dec. 11, 1966, the Miami Dolphins play the Kansas City Chiefs.
On Dec. 11, 1966, the Miami Dolphins play the Kansas City Chiefs.

Quarterback

Miami Dolphins quarterback John Stofa guided the team to three straight wins to close out the inaugural 1966 season.
Miami Dolphins quarterback John Stofa guided the team to three straight wins to close out the inaugural 1966 season.