In 1965, the American Football League awarded an expansion franchise to Joe Robbie and television star Danny Thomas for $7.5 million. The naming of the franchise was left to the public. “Dolphins” was submitted by 622 entrants in a contest that attracted 19,843 entries.”The dolphin is one of the fastest and smartest creatures in the sea,” Joe Robbie said in announcing his football team’s nickname. Their first coach, George Wilson, saw the ragtag American Football League expansion through their first four seasons. In 1969, Don Shula was signed to become the Dolphins head coach. In the next five seasons, the Dolphins saw 65 victories, three Superbowl appearances and two NFL championships.

Miami Dolphins vs. Boston Patriots

8/14/1982, Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins vs. Washington.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

Maimi Dolphins vs. San Francisco 49ers

11/9/1975: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets

10/2/1966: Miami Dolphin's Karl Noonan Leaps high to grab an 18-yard touchdown pass in first quarter action against the San Diego Chargers. Charger defenders Chuck Allen, #50, and Miller Farr, #20, watch Noonan make grab. Chargers won 44-10.

Miami Dolphins vs Oakland Raiders

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

The Miami Herald issue published Monday, January 14, 1974. Features IT'S EASIER 2ND TIME AROUND, DOLPHINS ROUT VIKINGS, 24-7

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

10/16/1988: Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers.

The Miami Herald issue published Monday, November 15, 1993 in Miami, Florida. Features NFL'S ALL TIME WINNER, DON SHULA PASSES GEORGE HALAS WITH SCRAPPY 19-14 WIN IN PHILLY

12/30/1979, John Pineda/Miami Herald: Dolphins vs. Pittsburgh

1984: Dolphins survive Jet threat, 1D

9/5/1994/C.W. Griffin/Miami Herald: Patriots Ben Coates in 3rd quarter.

1985: Don Shula

Undated: Lots of Dolphins tickets available and no waiting - from the scalpers standing just outside the Orange Bowl ticket windows where people were lined up to as many as 250 at a time.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

11/9/1975: Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets.

1/25/1983, David Walters/Miami Herald: Don Shula.

The Miami Herald issue published Monday, January 15, 1973. Features DOLPHINS RULE PRO FOOTBALL.

10/11/1989: Andrew Innerarity/Miami Herald Staff -- Jarvis Williams, No. 26, makes a crunching hit that breaks up a pass to Lawyer Tillman Sunday, Oct. 8, 1989, as Paul Lankford, left, moves in. The Dolphins beat the Browns 13-10 in overtime.

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

Undated: Joe Robbie on the field at the Miami Dolphins vs. Atlanta Falcons game.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals

The Miami Herald issue published Sunday, August 16, 1987 in Miami, Florida. Features OPENING NIGHT AT JOE ROBBIE STADIUM.

8/28/1971: Dolphins vs. Lions.

1985: Dan Marino returns to Dolphin Camp

Undated: Don Shula.

10/14/1979: Dolphins vs. Buffalo Bills

10/16/1988: Miami Dolphins vs. San Diego Chargers.

7/31/1994: David Bergman/Miami Herald Staff -- Jarvis Williams, No. 26, is in on the play as No. 34 Kevin Turner of the Patriots tries to recover his own fumble. the ball was recovered by No. 82 Vincent Brisby of the Patriots.

1/1/1984, Bruce Gilbert/Miami Herald: Don Shula.

10/2/1966: San Diego Charger fullback Gene Foster, #37, races for a 6-yard gain and first down is 1st quarter of game against Miami Dolphins. Leading the blocking for Foster is #72 Gary Kirner. Miami's Ed Cooke trails behind the speedy Foster.

1983: Dan Marino.

12/15/1979, Bob East/Miami Herald: Dolphins vs. Jets.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

Undated: Miami Dolphins vs. Cincinnati Bengals

1987: A big victory - at a big cost, 1D

Miami Dolphins vs. Boston Patriots

12/15/1979, John Walther/Miami Herald: Dolphins vs. Jets.

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

Miami Dolphins vs Oakland Raiders

1985: Mark Duper and Dan Marino after last touchdown

The Miami Herald issue published Monday, November 15, 1993 in Miami, Florida. Features SHULA DOES IT, HISTORIC FEAT: WIN NO. 325

12/23/1986, Robin Shields/Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins Vs. New England Patriots.

Miami Dolphins vs Oakland Raiders

July 19, 1990: Edith Mackey keeping the sun off as Chris and Nicholas Abell and their five-year-old brother Greg Abell watch as the Miami Dolphins take the field at the first day of training camp.

10/12/1975: Miami Dolphins vs. Philadelphia Eagles.

The Miami Herald issue published Monday, January 15, 1973, in Miami, Florida. Features 17-0 -- THAT'S PERFECTLY SUPER!

The Miami Herald issue published Monday, January 14, 1974, in Miami, Florida. Features DOLPHIN DYNASTY? 'OH, MURDER, YES!'

Miami Dolphins vs. Baltimore Colts

12/11/1966, John Walther/Miami Herald: Miami Dolphins Vs. Kansa City Chiefs.

1972: Shula consoles John Sandusky after Dolphins shut out Colts, 23-0