Dan Marino, one of the best quarterbacks of all time in the NFL. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 15, 1961, Daniel Constantine Marino Jr. was born. Marino grew up in a working-class neighborhood with his parents and two sisters. He attended Central Catholic High School in Pittsburgh. Although he was an exceptional athlete, Marino was drafted in 1978 to play baseball with the Kansas City Royals, but decided to stay close to home and attend the University of Pittsburgh. While playing for the Pittsburgh Panthers, Marino set career records for attempts and completions, yards and touchdowns.
Dan was the Miami Dolphins’ pick number in the NFL draft. In his first year with the Dolphins, Marino threw 20 touchdown passes and won the rookie of the year award. In his freshman year, he became the first rookie quarterback to start in the Pro Bowl. Dan began to break records for the Dolphins, although a superbowl ring was never achieved. Marino still has many complete passing records and many more.
In 1985 Dan married Claire and together they have 6 children. In 1987, Dan threw for more than 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns. He is named to the Pro Bowl for the fifth consecutive season. Not just a great soccer player, Dan’s passion for golf earns him the AT&T Pebble Beach ProAm National Championship alongside professional golfer Dan Pohl.
Although he suffered many injuries, Dan’s wish to win a Super Bowl ring was never fulfilled, but his achievements went much further. Dan became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw more than 60,000 yards in his career, more than 8,300 attempts and more than 4,000 completions. Marino finished his career with 49 Dolphin team records and 24 NFL regular season records. Dan Marino retires in early 2000 and leaves the NFL as a legend of the game.
Dan Marino is inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame on August 7. During her ceremony, her eldest son, Daniel, offers an insightful introduction. Dan completes his last pro pass to retired Miami teammate Mark Clayton.
