The Miami Dolphins have lost another hero from their legendary 1972 team.
On Tuesday, May 26, the team confirmed the death of former defensive tackle Manny Fernandez. He was 79. No cause of death was announced.
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“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Manny Fernandez, a member of the 1972 Perfect Team, a two-time Super Bowl champion, Ring of Honor member and an anchor of the Dolphins‘ legendary No-Name Defense,” read a statement posted to the team’s X account.
“His consistent and selfless contributions on the field were instrumental to the Dolphins’ success throughout the early 1970s, particularly in the team’s three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, in which he produced some of the most memorable defensive performances in the history of the game.
“Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and teammates as we remember one of the best players in Dolphins history.”
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Undrafted out of Utah, Fernandez joined the Dolphins in 1968 and played his entire eight-year NFL career in Miami. He became a relentless force on the team’s defensive line and even earned an MVP vote in 1970. Unofficially, Fernandez finished his career with 35 sacks, a statistic that did not become official until 1982.
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However his finest performance came in the biggest game of his career for one of the greatest teams in NFL history. Fernandez finished with 17 tackles and one sack in Miami’s 14-7 victory over Washington in Super Bowl 7. The win capped the ’72 Dolphins’ perfect 17-0 season, and they remain the only undefeated team of the Super Bowl era.
While safety Jake Scott was named MVP of that game thanks to a pair of interceptions, Fernandez had a legitimate claim of his own − maybe a better one, according to many. However legendary sportswriter Dick Schaap, who was responsible for naming the game’s MVP that year, later admitted he had a hangover that limited his focus on the field and ultimately didn’t give Fernandez due consideration.
Fernandez was part of Miami’s stifling “No-Name Defense,” which included Hall of Fame linebacker Nick Buoniconti, defensive end Bill Stanfill and the formidable safety combination of Scott and Dick Anderson.
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Fernandez, who was also known for occasionally distinctive facial hair, played in 113 career games, including Super Bowls 6, 7, and 8 − and he recorded a sack in each of those contests. He earned rings as a member of the 1972 and ’73 Dolphins, the only Miami teams to win Lombardi Trophies.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Manny Fernandez, Miami Dolphins legend and Super Bowl 7 hero, dies
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