Dolphins Announce Final Five Players On 50th Anniversary Team
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DAVIE (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins are celebrating their 50th season and one of special things they are doing is selecting the top 50 players in team history.
The list is created by four different groups who vote on the composition of the team. The groups are fans, Dolphins alumni, South Florida media and a select blue ribbon panel.
Each group represents 25% of the overall vote.
Every week over a ten week span, five players on the 50th anniversary team will be announced leading up to the Dolphins home game against the New York Giants on Monday, December 14th.
The entire top 50 team will be honored as part of a tribute to the 50 seasons of Miami Dolphins football.
In addition, the Dolphins will be wearing throwback uniforms that night for only the second time in franchise history.
So far there have been 45 players named to the team. Dick Anderson, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, O.J. McDuffie and Jake Scott were the first five, followed by Nick Buoniconti, Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, Jim Mandich and Dan Marino.
Week three saw the Dolphins add Doug Betters, Bryan Cox, Bob Kuechenberg, Tony Nathan and Richmond Webb to the prestigious list, and the fourth week Tim Bowens, Manny Fernandez, Larry Little, Mercury Morris and Bill Stanfill were brought on board.
Week five added Brent Grimes, Jim Langer, Reggie Roby, Paul Warfield and Ricky Williams for week six the team named Bob Baumhower, Sam Madison, Dwight Stephenson, Zach Thomas and Garo Yepremian to the roster.
For week seven the team announced that Glenn Blackwood, Vern Den Herder, Keith Jackson, Jim Jensen and John Offerdahl were added to the prestigious list and the following week saw the addition of Bob Brudzinski, Norm Evans, Mike Pouncey, Patrick Surtan and Jason Taylor.
Last week Miami announced players 41 through 45 and they were A.J. Duhe, Bruce Hardy, Jim Kiick, Nat Moore and Ed Newman.
On Tuesday the Dolphins announced the final five players to complete the roster for the 50th Anniversary Season All Time Team. They are Kim Bokamper, Earl Morral, Louis Oliver, Keith Sims and Cameron Wake.
Bokamper played nine seasons with the Dolphins at linebacker and defensive end and was a member of the famed 'Killer B's' defense that helped Miami reach Super Bowl XVII and Super Bowl XIX. He is tied for eighth among the Dolphins all-time sack leaders with 39.5 career sacks, leading the team in the category in 1980. Bokamper was selected to the 1979 Pro Bowl.
"I became a Dolphins fan on Christmas Day in 1971 when the Dolphins beat the Chiefs en route to their first Super Bowl. Five years later I was proud to be drafted by Miami. I walked into the locker room and saw many of the guys who played in that game, and eventually I wound up being their teammate. That in itself was a dream come true," Bokamper said.
"For ten years I played for the greatest coach in the history of the NFL, Don Shula, and under two outstanding assistant coaches, Bill Arnsparger and Mo Scarry. And I was fortunate enough to play with guys like A.J. Duhe, Bob Baumhower, Doug Betters, Bob Brudzinski, Glenn and Lyle Blackwood, Don McNeal, and the rest of the "Killer B's" – all things I never imagined. But being selected as one of the top 50 players of all time in Dolphins history is by far the most surprising and meaningful honor that I could ever receive. I want to thank all the fans, alumni and media that voted for me. To be named to that team is something truly special."
Morrall played five seasons with the Dolphins at quarterback and had a solid NFL career before joining Miami in 1972. He became the Dolphins starting quarterback during the '72 season when Bob Griese was injured during the fifth game. Morrall remained the starter for the next 11 games, winning every one to help Miami to their 17-0 perfect season. He was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year in 1972.
"Earl never sought recognition but I'm sure he would be honored to be part of this great team, which consists of so many of his former teammates and friends," Earl's widow Jane Morrall said. "Earl was the ultimate team player."
Oliver played seven seasons for the Dolphins at safety and started all but three games during his first four years with the team. During those four seasons Oliver led Miami in interceptions each year and his 24 picks rank tied for sixth in team history.
"I'm honored and privileged that the people I played with, the fans who came out to support the team, the organization itself – all the people who felt that I deserved to be among the Dolphins' 50 greatest players. I played my career for those people – people that I played alongside of, the organization that drafted me coming out of college, the fans that paid their hard-earned money to see the games each and every Sunday and Monday night. I feel honored that my play was something they appreciated and voted me as one of the Dolphins 50 greatest players," Oliver said.
Sims played eight years at guard for Miami after being selected in the second round of the 1990 NFL Draft. He immediately was put into the starting lineup, along with offensive tackle Richmond Webb who was selected by the Dolphins in the first round of that same draft. The pair would anchor the left side of Miami's offensive line for the next eight seasons. Sims was named to three consecutive Pro Bowl teams in 1993, 1994 and 1995.
"I want to thank the organization, Coach Shula – who drafted me – John Sandusky, my first line coach when I played there, and of course my linemate, Richmond Webb. None of this would have been possible without those people. It was great to play next to Richmond all those years. He inspired me to be a great player. And I can't forget Dan Marino. Protecting Dan was a thrill and a tremendous opportunity," Sims said. "I am just thrilled to be a part of a tremendous group of guys – the top 50 all-time great players who sweated, bled and lived for the Miami Dolphins. It's an incredible honor and I'm just so thankful to be part of that group."
Wake is currently playing in his seventh season with the Dolphins, having played both linebacker and defensive end. He's recorded 70 sacks since coming to Miami which ranks him second on the Dolphins all-time sack list, behind only Jason Taylor. Wake has led the team in sacks four times and registered double-digit sack totals in three different years. He has been named to four Pro Bowls.
"When I look at the names of the men that have been included in this group, I'm beyond honored and privileged. The Dolphins have a storied history and I'm proud to be part of it," Wake said. "My path was an unusual one, but the journey wouldn't be a success without the support and encouragement from my teammates, my family and the fans. I'm so grateful to all of them."
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