Manny Fernandez To Be Inducted Into Dolphins Honor Roll
DAVIE (CBSMiami) – The Miami Dolphins announced on Wednesday that former defensive tackle Manny Fernandez will be inducted into the Dolphins Honor Roll later this season.
Fernandez will become the 27th member of the Dolphins Honor Roll.
The induction will take place on Sunday, December 21 during halftime of the game between the Dolphins and the Minnesota Vikings.
It is fitting that the ceremony will take place during a game against the Vikings as Fernandez was part of the Dolphins team that defeated Minnesota in Super Bowl VIII.
"Manny Fernandez was the first of several elite defensive tackles who played for the Miami Dolphins," said Nat Moore, Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Special Projects & Alumni Relations. "Fernandez was an expert at controlling the line of scrimmage on defense and freeing up the linebackers to run and make tackles. We're elated to celebrate his accomplishments by welcoming him to the prestigious Honor Roll."
Fernandez joined the Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 1968. He spent his entire eight year NFL career with Miami, playing in 103 games and accumulating 35 quarterback sacks, the second highest total by any defensive tackle in Dolphins history (Bob Baumhower is first with 39.5 sacks).
A major part of the 'no name defense' that dominated the NFL in the late 60's and early 70's, Fernandez was a key contributor in all three of the Dolphins Super Bowl teams.
During the Dolphins win in Super Bowl VII that capped off the only perfect season in NFL history, Fernandez made a game-high 17 tackles.
He joins several of his Miami teammates who are already members of the Dolphins Honor Roll, such as Bob Griese, Larry Csonka, Nick Buoniconti, Bob Kuechenberg, Dick Anderson and many more.
Fernandez was selected to Miami's Silver Anniversary team in 1990 and was named to the Dolphins Walk of Fame in 2012. He was recognized as the team's Outstanding Defensive Lineman six times (1968-73), a franchise record.
In 1973 Fernandez was awarded the NFL's Unsung Player Award. The same year he was honored with the Johnny Unitas Award, for the athlete who came into professional football in an unheralded manner and made significant contributions to the success of the team.
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