35-Year Phiniversary: Marino Makes NFL Debut

The Miami Dolphins are hoping to improve to 3-0 on Sunday as they play host to the Oakland Raiders. On this day 35 years ago however, another significant moment in franchise history took place and it also happened against the Raiders.

With the Monday Night Football contest on Sept. 19, 1983 virtually already decided, the Dolphins looked to provide a spark against the Los Angeles Raiders in the Los Angeles Coliseum. Miami trailed 27-0 in the fourth quarter and were ineffective on offense with David Woodley under center.

The move that head coach Don Shula would make down four scores that night would change the fate of the franchise for nearly two decades and arguably forever. Rather than leaving Woodley, who helped the team reach the Super Bowl the year prior, in the game, Shula turned to the rookie from Pittsburgh named Dan Marino.

Marino's first regular season action in the NFL wasn't enough to spark a comeback for the ages. What it did do however, was let the fans in South Florida know that they had something special.

The Raiders would go on to win the game, 27-14, but in limited action, Marino went 11-for-17 passing for 90 yards and tossed his first two career touchdown passes to tight end Joe Rose and wide receiver Mark Duper.
With the loss, Miami fell to 1-2, but the Dolphins would lose just twice for the remainder of the regular season. Shula was hesitant to turn over the reigns to the young Marino, but the Pittsburgh rookie wound up starting nine games in 1983 and appearing in 11 total.

The following season would watch Marino obliterate the single-season NFL record books and earn league MVP by throwing for 5,084 yards and 48 touchdowns -- 12 more than the previous record. Over his 17-year career in Miami, Marino would break every major passing record before ultimately retiring following the 1999 season.

In 17 years with Marino at the helm, the Dolphins suffered just one losing season and the rifle-armed Marino would cement his place at the greatest player in the history of the franchise. Marino's statue stands outside Hard Rock Stadium, where Miami plays its home games. The boulevard leading to the stadium bears his name. Dan Marino's first NFL appearance came on this day in 1983 -- 35 years ago.

Mike Ferguson is the founder of Days of Dolphins Past. Follow Mike on Twitter @MikeWFerguson.