Posted on 07/21/2005 5:02:57 PM PDT by Extremely Extreme Extremist
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) Hall of Fame-bound Dan Marino says he retired five years ago only after rejecting an offer to play for his hometown team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When his 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins ended with the 1999 season, Marino turned down a well-publicized offer from the Minnesota Vikings. On Thursday, Marino said he also was approached by other teams, including the Steelers and coach Bill Cowher.
``I had a chance to go to Pittsburgh,'' Marino said. ``I don't think anybody knew that. ... Cowher called me about playing, but I had to make a decision within a couple of days, because he already had a guy that he was going to sign.''
Instead, the Pittsburgh native 38 years old and hampered by injuries decided against playing in 2000.
``At the time, I just kept thinking back to how my body felt the year before,'' he said. ``And to me there was something special about playing 17 years in one place. Although I was pretty close to doing it, it just didn't feel right. I probably could have played another year, no doubt.''
The most prolific passer in NFL history, Marino will be inducted Aug. 7 into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
Don Shula paid tribute during a telephone conference call Wednesday and in the process took a shot at his successor as Dolphins coach, Jimmy Johnson. Shula, unable to contain his disdain for Johnson, bristled when asked if Marino benefited from having only two coaches.
``You mean he had one coach,'' Shula said. ``Look at the numbers. They speak for themselves.''
During 13 years with Shula, Marino averaged 28 touchdown passes per season, and Miami had a winning percentage of .614, plus six playoff victories. Throwing less often in his four years under Johnson, Marino averaged 17 touchdown passes per season, and Miami had a winning percentage of .563, plus two playoff wins.
In the wake of Shula's remark, Marino was asked if things would have been different had he played his entire career under the Hall of Fame coach.
``How did I know that was going to come up?'' Marino said with a chuckle. ``Would it have been different? Who knows? Coach Shula was an incredible influence on my career and a guy I respect very much, and I'm real excited that he's going to be there (in Canton) in two weeks.''
"But it don't mean a thing/if you ain't got that ring. THE RING THE RING THE RING!"
Ping
Peyton Manning take heed.
Hmmmm. I guess Jimmy Johnson won't be there. LOL
Back when Bradshaw was feeling his age in the early 80's I was wishing sooo hard that the Steelers would have found a way to get Marino back then. Had they found a way to get Marino *and* Tony Dorsett (both local talent) they'd have won 8 superbowls by now, and Marino wouldn't have had to languish in Miami without a ring, much less having his own shot at one for the thumb.
Yeah Dan, they offered me the job too.....
Marino may be the best pure passer in NFL history. It's sad he never had a Superbowl. It wasn't his fault. I think that some sports commentators weight that too much.
Jimmy Johnson is hard enough to handle when his team his winning Superbowls and utterly dominating the league (Cowboys.) I cannot imagine what he must have been like in Miami where they struggled. My gosh, I shudder just to think.
I loved how Marino manhandled the '85 Chicago Bears, though. IMO, that was his finest moment.
I guess I didn't know the Vikings offered, but then that would fit their pattern of bringing in past-their-prime nearly washed up QB's to run the team. Marino did the right thing, IMO. I'm a longtime Dolphins hater and still always respected him.
He'd have gotten another shot at them in the SB that year but the Fish fell to the Pats in the AFC title game.
Unfortunatly for him, he and Barry Sanders are probably the two best players to play the game without winning a Super Bowl(or NFL title before then).
NFL network is replaying his latest loss to the Pats right now.
Poor Barry never even got to play in a Super Bowl.
I'm sure after he lost the SB to the 49ers he thought he'd get back there several more times.
Barry Sanders is a fascinating guy. Quit at the top, I guess because he got tired of losing at Detroit.
didn't the Patriots win 3 playoff games on the road to get to the SB?, and were the first team to ever do that?...some reward, get to the championship and get blown out. A Bears vs. Dolphins SB would have been awesome, the only team to beat the 85 Bears.
It is amazing when you look at those great Dolphin teams of the early 70's that Shula put together. Somehow he wasn't able to give Marino anything close to a team like those.
I saw him live in 1993. The Pats would have him cornered for no gain. He would then make one quick move and pick up more than five yards. He's the best running back I ever saw.
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