Dolphins Announce Manny Fernandez Dies at 79 After 35-Sack Career
Updated
Updated · NBC Sports · May 26
Dolphins Announce Manny Fernandez Dies at 79 After 35-Sack Career
13 articles · Updated · NBC Sports · May 26
Manny Fernandez, a defensive lineman on Miami’s 1972 undefeated team, has died at 79, the Dolphins said Tuesday.
Fernandez joined the then-AFL Dolphins as an undrafted player in 1968, spent his entire career with Miami and retired after the 1975 season.
Three Super Bowl trips defined that run, including back-to-back titles after the 1972 and 1973 seasons; he recorded sacks in both championship wins.
Unofficially credited with 35 regular-season sacks and 4.5 playoff sacks before the NFL began tracking sacks in 1982, Fernandez was inducted individually into the Dolphins’ Honor Roll in 2014.
How many NFL legends have their true impact hidden by outdated official statistics?
Why was the hero of the NFL's only perfect season denied its ultimate individual prize?