Dan Marino, former Miami Dolphins quarterback, has returned to Miami as a special adviser.
ESPN reports that Marino accepted the position after months of discussions about his taking a role in the Miami front office. The deal was announced in a release on Sunday, which said that Marino will work “in a variety of different capacities” with the Dolphins.
Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said in a statement, “Dan is and will always be an important part of the Miami Dolphins, and we are excited to get him involved in a more formal way. Dan is unquestionably one of the greatest players in NFL history and his enthusiasm and passion for the Dolphins is inspiring to everyone here.”
A “person familiar with the move” told USA Today Sports that Marino will be involved in community and business initiatives, such as tickets and stadium issues. The anonymous source said that both Dan and the Dolphins wanted to work together in a more formal capacity, and wanted to make the deal before the start of the season.
According to the Miami Herald , Marino has been spotted spending more time around the team recently, attending two practices and a pre-season game on Saturday. He also reportedly has good relationships with Miami coach Joe Philbin and general manager Dennis Hickey.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in this role,” Marino said of his new position. “I have always considered myself a Dolphin for life and I look forward to supporting the organization anyway I can. Stephen Ross is a passionate guy who is committed to building a first-class, winning organization. I’m excited about the future of the team and where the organization is headed.”
Marino, 52, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005. He spent his entire football career with the Dolphins — from 1983 to 1999 — playing in 242 games and ranking among the highest winning quarterbacks in NFL history. His No. 13 jersey was retired by the Dolphins, but still remains a popular choice of fans.
This is Marino’s second position with the Dolphins since his playing days. He briefly served as the team’s senior vice president of football operations in 2004, but resigned after only three weeks, saying that the position was not in the best interest of his family or the team.
Marino served as an NFL analyst for CBS’s The NFL Today from 2002 to 2013. According to a February 2014 Inquisitr article, speculation about his return to the Dolphins’ organization in some capacity began soon after CBS announced Marino would not be returning for the 2014 season of the Sunday pregame show.
[Photo courtesy of WBKT FM ]
