Miami Sports Community Mourns Passing of Don Shula

Don Shula was the patriarch of Miami sports and a resonating symbol of integrity and excellence.

The Miami sports community, and the world in general, lost an icon with the passing of Miami Dolphins legendary coach Don Shula today at age 90.

The Miami Dolphins are saddened to announce that Head Coach Don Shula passed away peacefully at his home this morning. pic.twitter.com/MKAtXFA4zd

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 4, 2020

Shula personified everything sports, and life, are meant to nurture.

Determination.

Work ethic.

Integrity.

Today is a very sad day for us all. We extend our most sincere thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of legendary coach Don Shula and the @MiamiDolphins organization. pic.twitter.com/KXdaswsifn

— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) May 4, 2020

His accomplishments on the sideline set the standard not only for a franchise, but an entire league.

Rest in peace to the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/4mZ8cjUBl2

— NFL (@NFL) May 4, 2020

Shula’s legacy cast an unintentional shadow over the Miami Dolphins, along with that of Dan Marino.

A nearly impossible bar to reach, yet one that shows what the pinnacle of achievement means.

He did that for us.

Coach Shula – you will truly be missed! You embody the definition of “greatness.” You brought that winning attitude with you every day and made everyone around you better. (Part 1/2) pic.twitter.com/Ytoi5l7H4F

— Dan Marino (@DanMarino) May 4, 2020

Shula came into the NFL as a hard nosed cornerback after serving in the Ohio National Guard and played seven seasons in the NFL.

That toughness in both service and football transitioned to the coaching ranks in a storied career spanning four decades.

Remembering Don Shula through the years 📸 » https://t.co/SYuL4o2KYP pic.twitter.com/3fnrMwnFII

— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) May 4, 2020

One could stop at the numbers and Shula’s impact would be unfathomable.

Yet that would not do him justice.

The Dolphins with Don Shula as coach:

26 seasons
2 losing seasons

The Dolphins without Don Shula as coach:

28 seasons
15 losing seasons

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) May 4, 2020

His mentorship and commitment to an unwavering standard help mold a team in his image that would transcend the NFL.

Perfection is often referred to as an unobtainable illusion.

Hard to believe he’s gone. He was such a dominant force. I fully expected he'd live to see 100. Winning was critical to him but winning WITHIN THE RULES was more important. There was only 1 perfect team in the first 100 yrs of the NFL and Coach Shula is the reason! #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/yimRSpkZDO

— Larry Csonka (@Larry_Csonka39) May 4, 2020

Don Shula did not subscribe to that philosophy.

He came so close to the mountaintop in 1969 with the Indianapolis Colts, reaching Super Bowl III with Johnny Unitas.

Rest in peace, Coach Shula.

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) May 4, 2020

That game would of course be known for Joe Namath’s guarantee of victory which came to fruition.

A feat which gnawed at Shula and fanned the flames of his determination and will.

Which he would use to take himself and the Miami Dolphins to the summit.

The Mount Rushmore of South Florida sports when everything is considered…

Shula
Riley
Wade
Marino

— Five Reasons Sports Network (@5ReasonsSports) May 4, 2020

The 1972 Miami Dolphins under Shula are the pinnacle, the standard by which any team that follows will be measured against.

They say luck is when opportunity meets preparation.

The Miami Dolphins were lucky enough to have the opportunity to land Shula when he left the Colts.

Sometimes, timing is everything.

When the stars align and everything falls into place, you end up with a destiny beyond what you thought was possible.

That was Don Shula.

My most treasured day as a sports reporter: On the day before Don Shula’s 80th birthday, he invited me to his house. We spent hours on his veranda, overlooking Biscayne Bay, as he told story after story, treating me not like a reporter but like a grandson. I will never forget it.

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) May 4, 2020