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| | Monday, March 13 | |||||
| Dan Marino, the most prolific passer in NFL history, announced his retirement Monday after 17 years with the Miami Dolphins. Following are some league-wide reactions:
NFL 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. "Dan brings an excitement to the quarterback position, even during practice, and especially during the last two minutes of games, when he has brought us back to win more times than I can count. Whether it was the clock play against the Jets or any of his other great comeback wins, I always had the feeling that with Dan at quarterback, we were never out of the game, no matter what the score. "To me, Dan is the greatest competitor among the over 2,000 athletes I have coached. His will and determination are legendary and I've never been around someone who wants to win as much as Dan." Former Dolphins quarterback 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." Former Dolphins receiver 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." Former Dolphins receiver 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. "It was a special thrill playing with him and Mark (Clayton). We had a great offense, and sometimes it just seemed like we were playing pitch and catch out there. He had total faith in us, and we had complete faith in him. He knew we knew he would get us the ball where we wanted." Mississippi State's Jackie Sherrill, who coached Marino at the University of Pittsburgh: "When he first came to Pitt, because of his throwing motion, I asked him who taught him how to throw the football. He said his dad taught him how. I told him not to let anyone change his throwing motion because he had the best throwing motion I'd been exposed to. As a family man, Danny is what every father would like to be. He is a tremendous family person, and he has earned the right to make the decision of whatever he wants to do. You look at playing that position for that many years in the NFL, and its phenomenal." Former Dolphins tight end Keith Jackson: "You have to admire Dan on the football field. But it was the things off the field. I lived next door to Dan. He would be up all night saying, 'How can I get better? How can I get better'? That is what made him so great, his desire to win. He hated to lose and that made his greatness." Former Dolphins receiver Jim Jensen: "Dan made it easy for me as a player because he knew when I was going to make my breaks. Every time I got my head around, the ball was right on the money. I give him credit for my success as a player. I am going to miss seeing him play. He is just a great competitor and such a fiery guy." Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly: "Dan leaves the game when he has done just about everything a quarterback can do. We would all love to walk away from the game with a championship under our belt. Unfortunately, not everyone does. But he left his trademark on the game of football. He is the best, not only on the field but off it too. I'm honored to say I played against him." Former Dolphins center Dwight Stephenson: "Dan is one of the greatest teammates whom I ever had. It was a real pleasure to play with a guy who went out every time and practiced what he preached in terms of the hard work. 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." Dolphins linebacker Zach Thomas: "We take it for granted when he's here every day, but it truly has been an honor to play with one of the greatest players. One of the greatest players in the history of this league. I got more of a thrill intercepting Dan in practice than I did any of my interceptions in games. Just to be able to play with him is something special, because when you think of the Miami Dolphins, you think of Dan Marino." Dolphins tackle Richmond Webb: "This is a sad day for a lot of Dolphin fans and Dan's former teammates. You never really can appreciate something until its gone. That's what a lot of Dolphin fans and people around the NFL are going to realize. Dan Marino will definitely be missed in the NFL." | ALSO SEE Dan Marino retrospective index Marino calls it quits; Dolphins to retire No. 13 Garber: Marino's place in history Legends on the move AUDIO/VIDEO   Don Shula joins ESPN's Bob Ley for a look back at Dan Marino's career.RealVideo: | 28.8   Don Shula praises Marino for his quick decision making ability.wav: 123 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 Former teammate Jimmy Cefalo thinks Marino was one of the greatest minds.wav: 109 k 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 Don Strock recalls Marino's will to win.wav: 76 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  | |||||