| | DAVIE, Fla. -- Dan Marino, the NFL's most prolific passer,
retired Monday after 17 years as quarterback of the Miami Dolphins.
"I'm going to miss it," Marino said, struggling to compose
himself. "I'm going to miss everything about it."
|  | | Injuries slowed Marino in his final years. |
The 38-year-old Marino wanted to go out like John Elway and
retire as a Super Bowl champion. But after parting ways with the
Dolphins, he reluctantly rejected an offer to play this year for
the Minnesota Vikings.
"I can say I have been blessed with a career greater than I
could imagine," Marino said at a news conference at the Dolphins'
training facility. "Most of all I am going to miss Sunday
afternoons."
Marino's wife, children, parents and former coach Don Shula were
with him in the team meeting room -- the same location used for the
departure speeches by Shula and another former coach, Jimmy
Johnson.
"This is a day of celebration of a great career," Shula said.
"You just want to applaud."
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga hugged Marino after his
announcement.
"Just because you didn't win a Super Bowl doesn't mean that you
are not a champion, because we all know it otherwise," Huizenga
said.
The owner said the Dolphins will retire No. 13, build a statue
for Marino and name a street after him near their stadium.
Marino read an eight-minute statement, then answered questions
for an hour. He said health and family were the main reasons for
retiring. He said he made up his mind Thursday while sitting in his
kitchen with his wife, Claire.
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What they're saying
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Commissioner Paul Tagliabue: "No other athlete is more synonymous with South Florida sports
than Dan Marino. He was without a doubt one of the greatest
passers and toughest competitors in the NFL's 80-year history.
Dan combined a fiery will to win with an unmatched ability to
take charge at the most critical juncture. He also is admired as
much for his personal integrity and charitable involvement in
South Florida. On behalf of the NFL and its fans, we thank Dan
Marino for the great memories and for setting a standard of
excellence as a passer on the field and a dedicated contributor
to the community."
Former Dolphins coach Don Shula: "I don't believe that there is anyone who has made more of an
impact on the NFL than Dan Marino in his 17-year career. He has
all the passing records and is one of the winningest
quarterbacks in this history of the league, and those
accomplishments are how players should be judged."
Ex-Dolphins QB Bob Griese: "Twenty years ago I retired, and now I see Dan doing the same
thing, same position, same team, same town. He's probably one
of the most popular people who ever lived here, and has meant a
great deal to the Dolphin franchise, and to the South Florida
community."
Ex-Dolphins WR Mark Clayton: "I can honestly say I played with The Man. Even though Dan
didn't win the big one, he still has a lot to be proud of. He
had a hell of a ride and he's the best that ever played. He left
a mark on the game that will never be duplicated. When Dupe
(Mark Duper) and I were in our prime, nobody did it better. And
when people came out to see us play, the three of us put on a
show. We were truly entertainers. And after Dan has his
grandkids in his arms and I'm holding mine, we can tell them
that I caught more touchdowns from him than anybody else."
Ex-Dolphins WR Mark Duper: "There's no question that Dan had a great career and was such a
big help to me. Even now I rooted for him every time I saw him.
I think he's still a great quarterback and above everything
else, I would love to have seen him win a Super Bowl. But even
without a ring on his finger, there's no doubt that Dan is one
of the greatest quarterbacks ever in the NFL."
Ex-Dolphins C Dwight Stephenson: "Dan Marino
did all of the things that winners need to do. He did it with
class and he had a style about him. He was a real class guy. I
just think he did everything that a winner could do when he was
out there on the football field and in life."
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"I called my dad over, my mom, and I just told them, Marino
said. "It wasn't a big deal or anything. We just kind of decided
that and went on with the rest of the day."
Claire Marino cried during much of the news conference. Her
husband managed to fight back tears.
"This is not easy," he said at one point.
Marino departs owning many of the NFL passing records. He
completed 4,967 passes for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdowns, all
league records. In 1984, his second season, Marino threw for 5,084
yards and 48 touchdowns, both still league records.
More than a dozen current and former Miami players attended the
news conference, as did coach Dave Wannstedt, regarded by some
Miami fans as a villain because he never said he wanted Marino to
play this season.
Among those absent was Johnson, who coached Marino for four
seasons. They clashed frequently last year, and Johnson publicly
admonished his quarterback for poor decisions and costly turnovers.
"I would just have to say that our relationship was up and down
at times," Marino said. "We had some great days together, some
fun times. Sometimes I wasn't very happy here, while he was
coaching. And that's just being honest."
Johnson and Marino's final bid to win a Super Bowl together
ended with a 62-7 playoff loss at Jacksonville, the most lopsided
defeat in franchise history. Johnson retired the next day and was
succeeded by Wannstedt.
Marino voided his contract in February and became a free agent.
And when the Dolphins signed free agent quarterback Jay Fiedler to
a three-year, $3.8 million contract, it was clear Marino had played
his last game in Miami.
Marino said he wasn't insulted by the way the Dolphins treated
him after the season. But his agent, Marvin Demoff, acknowledged
the strain.
"The Dolphins could have done things better, but I don't think
it would have changed his decision," Demoff said. "There are some
hurts, but with Dan, I don't think they'll be hard to heal. He's a
forgiving person."
Marino's only Super Bowl appearance, in his second year in the
NFL, ended in a disappointing 38-16 loss to San Francisco. Marino
spent the next 15 years trying unsuccessfully to return to the
title game.
"That was the burning desire. That is what I played for,"
Marino said. "That has been a dream of mine my whole career. I
wanted to know -- as a player -- how it feels to win a Super Bowl."
Still, Marino is widely considered the greatest quarterback
never to win an NFL championship.
As for life after football, Marino said he will consider
broadcasting and business opportunities. He ruled out coaching.
"There is no way I can coach the guys that play today," Marino
joked. Then, turning serious, he said, "I will not play football
again."
| |
ALSO SEE
Dan Marino retrospective index
Reaction to Marino's retirement
Garber: Where's Marino's place in history?
Vikings, spurned by Marino, will turn to George again
AUDIO/VIDEO
 Dan Marino talks with ESPN's Hank Goldberg about his career and what lies ahead in the future.
RealVideo: | 28.8
Dan Marino announces his retirement from the Miami Dolphins.
RealVideo: | 28.8
Don Shula joins ESPN's Bob Ley for a look back at Dan Marino's career.
RealVideo: | 28.8
Hank Goldberg with analysis on Dan Marino's decision.
avi: 1558 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
 After 17 years in Miami, Dan Marino knows retirement was the right decision.
wav: 374 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Wayne Huizenga wants to keep the Marino legacy alive for Dolphins fans.
wav: 168 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Don Shula praises Marino for his quick decision making ability.
wav: 123 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dave Wannstedt believes other players will need to step up.
wav: 143 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
The Marks' brothers will always have a special place in Marino's heart.
wav: 131 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Catching passes from Marino was a dream come true for Mark Clayton.
wav: 120 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Don Strock recalls Marino's will to win.
wav: 76 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Former teammate Jimmy Cefalo thinks Marino was one of the greatest minds.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
The absence of a Super Bowl ring shouldn't change Marino's place in history according to Dwight Stephenson.
wav: 79 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Dan Marino expresses his feelings about former coach Jimmy Johnson.
wav: 85 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
Hank Goldberg discusses Marino's decision.
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RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6
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