Manny Fernandez to be inducted into 2014 Dolphin Honor Roll
Former Miami Dolphins DT Manny Fernandez will become the 27th member of the Dolphins Honor Roll. Manny joins the prestigious group after a vote by the Honor Roll committee.
Manny Fernandez will be inducted to the Honor Roll on Sunday, Dec. 21 during the halftime of the Dolphines game against the Minnesota Vikings.
“Manny Fernandez was the first of several elite defensive tackles who played for the Miami Dolphins,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Special Projects & Alumni Relations Nat Moore said. “Fernandez was an expert at controlling the line of scrimmage on defense and freeing up the linebackers to run and make tackles. We’re elated to celebrate his accomplishments by welcoming him to the prestigious Honor Roll.”
Fernandez spent his entire eight year NFL career (1968-75) with the Dolphins, joining the team as an undrafted free agent. He played in 103 games with Miami, including making 93 starts. A versatile player who was as good against the run as he was as a pass rusher, Fernandez’ 35 career sacks is the second highest total by any defensive tackle in team history, only trailing Bob Baumhower (39.5). Similarly, his 5.5 career sacks in the postseason are the third highest total overall in Dolphins history, behind Kim Bokamper (8) and Trace Armstrong (6). In addition, he led the Dolphins with 8.0 sacks in 1971, and remains one of only three tackles ever to lead Miami in that category in a single season. He is best remembered for his 17 tackles in Super Bowl VII, where he received strong consideration for the game’s Most Valuable Player award.
In 1990, he was selected to Miami’s Silver Anniversary team and in 2012 was named to the Dolphins Walk of Fame. Fernandez was named as the winner of the team’s Outstanding Defensive Lineman a franchise-record six times (1968-73). He was honored with the NFL’s Unsung Player Award in 1973. He also earned the Johnny Unitas Award in 1973 for the athlete who came into professional football in an unheralded manner and has made a significant contribution to the success of the team.
