Dolphins Announce First 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 for the next ten weeks, 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.
The first five members of the 50th anniversary team were announced on Tuesday. They are Dick Anderson, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, O.J. McDuffie and Jake Scott.
Anderson played with the Dolphins from 1968 to 1977 and was a key part of the 'no name' defense that went to three straight Super Bowls in the early 70's, winning two in 1971 and 1972, the perfect season.
"It's nice to be remembered. And I'm proud to be one of the members of the 'No-Name' defense on the team. I'm looking forward to seeing some of my teammates join me, but I really think an award should be given to the entire defense as a whole because we played so well together as a team and had a brilliant defensive coordinator in Bill Arnsparger," Anderson said.
Clayton played for the Dolphins from 1983 to 1992 and combined with Duper to form the 'Marks Brothers' receiving duo. Clayton finished his career with 550 catches for 8,643 yards and 81 touchdowns, ranking first in Dolphins history in career receptions and touchdowns.
"I'm truly humbled and honored with the selection and it goes to show you that all things are possible when you have the favor of God," Clayton said.
The second half of that receiving duo, Duper played for the Dolphins from 1982 to 1992. He finished his career with 511 catches for 8,869 yards and 59 touchdowns, ranking first in Dolphins history in receiving yards.
"It's a great feeling to be named as one of the top 50 players in Dolphins history. But while it's a great honor to be among so many great players, I have so much gratitude to a lot of people who won't make the team – many of the coaches and players who helped me get my job done. I want to give them the recognition they deserve because in my eyes my success is due to the all players and coaches I worked with during my Dolphins career."
McDuffie played for the Dolphins from 1993 to 2001. He ranks fourth on the team's all-time reception list with 415 and is fifth with 5,074 receiving yards.
"It means so much to me to be voted to the team. The Dolphin organization is so well respected and had so many great players over 50 years that to be part of that is really special and something I truly appreciate. I've gone from being a player on the team to one of its biggest fans, and this is icing on the cake for me as someone who has always considered myself a Dolphin ever since the day they drafted me," McDuffie said.
Scott played six years for the Dolphins, from 1970 to 1975. He played safety and was another key member of the 'no name' defense. He started every game during his career in Miami and his 35 interceptions remain the Dolphins' career record. He was also voted the MVP of Super Bowl VII after recording two interceptions to help the Dolphins complete their 17-0 perfect season.
"It's a hell of an honor. I was so lucky that I had so many great players on defense around me during the time I played in Miami. Some of the ones who didn't get as much recognition – guys like Doug Swift, Mike Kolen, Bob Matheson and others were as good as anyone in the league. You're not going to win ten or more games a year and two Super Bowl championships if you have a bad defense, and they all deserve credit for being among the very best at their position," Scott said.
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