Dan Marino Reflects On Don Shula, Dishes On Peyton Manning And Tom Brady’s Golf Skills

Like many current and former NFL players, Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Marino has been taking time during the COVID-19 outbreak to work on charity efforts to help others. Through his own foundation Marino has helped to empower people with autism and developmental disabilities, through research, education, employment and innovative programs that improve lives.

This weekend the Dan Marino Foundation teams up with Colombian pro cyclist Esteban Chaves and the Esteban Chaves Foundation, and have created a virtual bike ride fundraiser.

The Ride for Smiles virtual ride fundraiser starts this Sunday, May 24 at 11 A.M. EST, and invites cycling enthusiasts of all skill levels to go onto the Zwift cycling fitness platform to join Chaves and cyclists from all over the world. Participants and viewers are encouraged to donate before, during and after the ride by going to www.rideforsmiles.org.

“We talked about our foundation doing something during COVID-19,” Marino said, by phone today, “in part because some of our scheduled events were cancelled because of it. But we always thought about doing an event virtually.”

Marino added that he credits foundation CEO Mary Partin and many of the women who work at the Dan Marino Foundation for reaching out to Chaves. So far, Marino said, the Ride for Smiles has enrolled participants in both the U.S. and Colombia, with others as far off as the Netherlands ready to ride.

When I spoke further to Marino, he also shared stories about spending his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, as well as his thoughts on other quarterbacks and his longtime coach, the late Don Shula, who died earlier this month.

AF: You spent your entire career with one NFL team. That’s pretty rare to begin with. Talk about that experience.

Marino: I always tell people I’m a Dolphin for life. It’s special in a way, in that it connects you with the fans and the franchise more personally. I’ve been a part of the Dolphins since 1983, and there’s not many that will have that opportunity to play with only one team. John Elway did it, I did it, but won’t be that way very mich in the future since the NFL has changed. But it’s meant a lot to me, and I’m just like a fan too. I want the Miami Dolphins to get to another Super Bowl.

AF: Once pro athletes retire, they rarely stop being physical. How have you managed during stay-at-home orders?

Marino: Certainly just staying at home can wear you out. I’ve made sure to work out, and get on my bike and ride through the park. That’s one thing athletes do—adapt to the change of situation as it’s presented.

I still work with the Dolphins (as an advisor to the team and owner). We’ve been doing OTAs (Organized Team Activities) as a replacement for practices and different trainings on the field. For now the OTAs are virtual, and coaches do their work with the quarterbacks and other players with the same goals.

AF: You had a special relationship with Don Shula. Describe him and maybe something the average fan might not know about him.

Marino: Coach was an unbelievable, and I love the guy. When I came in, I thought I was a great player, being a little cocky perhaps. But he made me understand what it takes to be a real pro and really work everyday. He did that for everybody, but he always took care of me as a player.

I think he came off like a tough guy, but he was a very compassionate person to players and always there to help with their personal problems or issues. And also, he was a genius in way. As a rookie, he made me call all my own plays and early on put pressure on me as a young player to learn quicker and develop faster. I think that was the reason was why I was able to be successful right away.

AF: Two other legendary quarterbacks—Tom Brady and Peyton Manning—are playing golf on live TV this weekend. Thoughts?

Marino: I’ve played golf with both Tom and Peyton, and I know that they definitely won’t embarass themselves at all. They’re both great athletes, highly competitive, and good golfers. I’m going to watch it because I’m interested also in the banter that’s going to happen back and forth between them and Tiger and Phil too.

You know, it’s entertainment, and it’s a great opportunity for people to get their mind off what’s happening in the world and to watch four legendary athletes play golf together. I think it’s a cool idea. Maybe Peyton will let me caddy for him.