The Miami Dolphins announced on Monday morning that Don Shula, the NFL’s winningest head coach in history, has died at age 90.
The team released the following statement:
“Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years. He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami in the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne and Mike.”
Shula won 347 games, which still stands as an NFL record. He coached the Baltimore Colts before joining the Miami Dolphins in 1970. Shula was 33 years old when he was hired by the Colts, which was the youngest head coach to be hired in NFL history at the time.
He led Miami to the NFL’s only perfect season in 1972 after the team finished 17-0. They defeated the Washington Redskins 14-7 in Super Bowl VII to cap off the perfect season.
Shula coached in the NFL for 33 years, seven with the Colts and 26 with the Dolphins. He was then inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Dolphins president Tom Garfinkel issued the following statement:
“Today is a sad day. Coach Shula was the rare man who exemplified true greatness in every aspect of his life. He will be so missed by so many but his legacy of character and excellence will endure. All my best to Mary Anne and the Shula family.”