SOUTH FLORIDA – The Miami Dolphins 50th Season All Time Team has been finalized. The final members were announced today (Dec. 1st) and they are: Kim Bokamper, Earl Morrall, Louis Oliver, Keith Sims and Cameron Wake.
These five players now complete the roster for the 50th Season All Time Team who will be honored as part of a tribute to the 50 seasons of Dolphins football on Dec. 14 when the Miami Dolphins play the New York Giants.
Kim Bokamper played nine years (1977-85) with the Miami Dolphins at linebacker and defensive end as a member of the “Killer B’s” defense that helped the Dolphins make two Super Bowls in the 1980s. Bokamper is tied for eighth among the Dolphins’ all-time sack leaders with 39.5 career sacks, leading the team in sacks in 1980. He was named to the 1979 Pro Bowl team.
“I became a Dolphins fan on Christmas Day in 1971 when the Dolphins beat the Chiefs en route to their first Super Bowl. Five years later I was proud to be drafted by Miami. I walked into the locker room and saw many of the guys who played in that game, and eventually I wound up being their teammate. That in itself was a dream come true,” Bokamper said.
“For ten years I played for the greatest coach in the history of the NFL, Don Shula, and under two outstanding assistant coaches, Bill Arnsparger and Mo Scarry. And I was fortunate enough to play with guys like A.J. Duhe, Bob Baumhower, Doug Betters, Bob Brudzinski, Glenn and Lyle Blackwood, Don McNeal, and the rest of the “Killer B’s” – all things I never imagined. But being selected as one of the top 50 players of all time in Dolphins history is by far the most surprising and meaningful honor that I could ever receive. I want to thank all the fans, alumni and media that voted for me. To be named to that team is something truly special.”
Earl Morrall played five seasons with the Miami Dolphins (1972-76) at quarterback, with a solid career as a starter in the NFL before joining the Dolphins in 1972. He became Miami’s starter in 1972 when Bob Griese was injured in the fifth game that year and started the next 11 games. The Dolphins won every one of them en route to their 17-0 perfect season. Morrall was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year that season. He passed away in 2014.
“Earl never sought recognition but I’m sure he would be honored to be part of this great team, which consists of so many of his former teammates and friends,” Earl’s widow Jane Morrall said. “Earl was the ultimate team player.”
Louis Oliver played seven seasons (1989-93, 1995-96) with the Miami Dolphins at safety, starting all but three games his first four years with the team. His 24 interceptions ranks tied for sixth in Dolphins history and he led the Dolphins in interceptions four straight seasons (1989-92). On Oct. 4, 1992 at Buffalo he had three interceptions, including a 103-yard TD return, which at the time tied the NFL record for the longest interception return in league history.
“I’m honored and privileged that the people I played with, the fans who came out to support the team, the organization itself – all the people who felt that I deserved to be among the Dolphins’ 50 greatest players. I played my career for those people – people that I played alongside of, the organization that drafted me coming out of college, the fans that paid their hard-earned money to see the games each and every Sunday and Monday night. I feel honored that my play was something they appreciated and voted me as one of the Dolphins 50 greatest players,” Oliver said.
Keith Sims played eight years (1990-97) at guard with the Miami Dolphins. He was a second round draft pick by Miami in 1990, and immediately started alongside offensive tackle Richmond Webb, the club’s first-round selection that year, to anchor the left side of the Dolphins line for the next eight seasons. Sims was named to three consecutive Pro Bowl teams (1993-95).
“I want to thank the organization, Coach Shula – who drafted me – John Sandusky, my first line coach when I played there, and of course my linemate, Richmond Webb. None of this would have been possible without those people. It was great to play next to Richmond all those years. He inspired me to be a great player. And I can’t forget Dan Marino. Protecting Dan was a thrill and a tremendous opportunity,” Sims said. “I am just thrilled to be a part of a tremendous group of guys – the top 50 all-time great players who sweated, bled and lived for the Miami Dolphins. It’s an incredible honor and I’m just so thankful to be part of that group.”
Cameron Wake is in his seventh year (2009-15) with the Dolphins at linebacker and defensive end and has recorded 70 sacks as a member of the Dolphins, which ranks second among the team’s all-time sack leaders, behind Jason Taylor.
Wake has led the Dolphins in sacks four times and has registered double figure sack totals in three different seasons. Wake’s 15 sacks in 2012 is tied for the sixth-highest single-season total in Dolphins history. Cameron Wake was named to four Pro Bowls.
“When I look at the names of the men that have been included in this group, I’m beyond honored and privileged. The Dolphins have a storied history and I’m proud to be part of it,” Wake said. “My path was an unusual one, but the journey wouldn’t be a success without the support and encouragement from my teammates, my family and the fans. I’m so grateful to all of them.”
The Dolphins 50th season celebration is presented by Pepsi. Voting took place to select the top 50 players in team history which four different groups voted on the composition of the team, including fans, Dolphins alumni, South Florida media and a select blue ribbon panel.
Miami Dolphins 50th Season All Time Team
Dick Anderson
Bob Baumhower
Doug Betters
Glenn Blackwood
Kim Bokamper
Tim Bowens
Bob Brudzinski
Nick Buoniconti
Mark Clayton
Bryan Cox
Larry Csonka
A.J. Duhe
Bruce Hardy
Vern Den Herder
Mark Duper
Norm Evans
Manny Fernandez
Bob Griese
Brent Grimes
Keith Jackson
Jim Jensen
Jim Kiick
Bob Kuechenberg
Jim Langer
Larry Little
Sam Madison
Jim Mandich
Dan Marino
O.J. McDuffie
Nat Moore
Earl Morrall
Mercury Morris
Tony Nathan
Ed Newman
John Offerdahl
Louis Oliver
Mike Pouncey
Reggie Roby
Jake Scott
Keith Sims
Bill Stanfill
Dwight Stephenson
Patrick Surtain
Jason Taylor
Zach Thomas
Cameron Wake
Paul Warfield
Richmond Webb
Ricky Williams
Garo Yepremian