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I have a questioned for the "Seasoned" Dolphins fans.

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by PhinishLine, Apr 28, 2013.

  1. PhinishLine

    PhinishLine Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I notice that in the media there is a bit of dislike for the Dolphins and also amongst fans of that time period. Some of my older relatives who aren't Fins fans said they hated the Dolphins. That leads me to my question...

    If we look at the 70s and 80s football.....were the Dolphins the Patriots of that era? Were Bobby and Danny Tom Brady and Don Shula Bill Bellichek?

    I'm asking because I really do hate the Patriots. I was just wondering, do a lot of people hate us for the same reasons, but just for a different time period?

    I wasn't around in the 70s and 80s so I don't know how we were viewed. Were we more Patriots or were we a more loved champion like the Giants or 49ers?
     
  2. darefugee

    darefugee Active Member

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    Been a fan since 1970. I can't remember the Dolphins ever being caught cheating.
     
  3. PhinishLine

    PhinishLine Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Honestly, you could obliterate the cheating scandal from history and I'd still hate the Patriots.
     
  4. My hatred for the Pats began the first time they cheated with a snow plow.
     
  5. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    Im not sure this is the answer your looking for, but this is my opinion.
    I highly doubt that the media hates us nearly as much as most of the people on here believe. Just go look at our home crowds over the past decade, we're just not a good football team. If we start winning again, we'll get more national attention.
     
  6. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

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    Im 35, and have been a fan since I was a kid. Die hard since about 1990.

    Back then, the media didnt seem to have anything really against us. Of course, the media then isnt what it is today.

    Why the national media and fans of other teams have such hatred for the Fins is puzzling to me too. Look at other teams with a similar recent history; Tennessee, Kansas City, Tampa, ect. The media doesnt bash them absolutely every chance that they get. I dont see fans of NFC teams slamming the Titans or Chiefs. But the Fins bring out the worst in everyone else.
     
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  7. PhinishLine

    PhinishLine Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    See, I first thought it was the media. But when you ask older football fans who watched the game when the Dolphins were a consistent winning team, a lot of them tend to hate the Dolphins for some reason. A lot of teams haven't won consistently in the NFL. Doesn't mean that everyone hates them. I was just wondering if from a historical standpoint there was a collective opinion or stereotype against the Dolphins from the 70s and 80s that fueled the dislike of the Dolphins by fans in the 70s and 80s or if I'm just making all of this up in my head. Cowboys were good in the 90s...but I don't hate the Cowboys. 49ers were also great....I really like them. Never piled on them when they were down. Don't get why the Dolphins don't get that respect. But believe...when the Patriots go back to sucking...I'll be right there with my [cheese] eating grin to drive Pats fans nuts.
     
  8. USArmyFinFan

    USArmyFinFan Maximum Effort

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    The perfect season would be my guess
     
  9. More accurately I would say its the medias portrayal of it. They color the Dolphins from that team as being smug and it turns off many people. They televise the members of team having their champagne toast year after year once the last undefeated team falls.

    Its a nice tradition between that team and its fans but any time another team comes anywhere close to tieing it the media sensationalizes the toast. It gives the impression that we are rubbing other teams noses in it. I don't think its a conscious effort but I do think it leaves a bad impression and it generates resentment toward the team.
     
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  10. Larryfinfan

    Larryfinfan 17-0...Priceless Club Member

    Any time you have a team that is perennially successful, like the Shula era Fins were, there will be a lot of hate for them. The same as for teams that have been successful for extended periods of time (Pittsburgh, 49ers of 80's, NE last 10 yrs, etc)... Even the Colts of the 50s and 60s were disliked by a lot of fans... IMO, the Fins were probably a bit more hated because it was for 30 yrs that we were successful...but that's my biased opinion...

    As to now, the media has changed some from the 70's and 80's, in that they are much more cognizant of ratings and hits of websites, so if you don't win, you are basically ignored...same with teams like Cincy and Cleveland...in fact, you can just talk to some Seahawk fans and they'll tell you that 3 yrs ago they were basically ignored by the mainstream media, but today is a lot different...amazing what a few wins will do for you...
     
  11. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Well, not only that. Until about a decade ago, the Dolphins were the winningest team of any sport. That is the winning percentage was the highest...that has plummeted the last decade of course.

    So, to answer the OP, yes, I think much of the disdain about the olden Phins lays upon success. That is natural in people I think. I never hated the Cheatriots until they started winning...of course, I have ALWAYS despised the Jests, but I think that has much to do with the media over-hype, their fans...and well, their fans.
     
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  12. Agua

    Agua Reality: Try It!

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    The Phins walloped the northeastern teams for 30 years, and the NE is the media center. That's it in a nut shell.
     
  13. Joe Robbie

    Joe Robbie The Patriarch

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    Hate? This team has been irrellevant for years. But yeah, i'm gonna assume there was quite a bit of animosity back in those days. All good teams get that.
     
  14. ATLFINFAN

    ATLFINFAN Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    I can remember an friend of mine from back in the early 70's saying he couldn't stand the Phins because they were 'like a machine'. He was referring to our ground and pound success, at the time.
     
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  15. azfinfanmang

    azfinfanmang Premium Member Luxury Box

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  16. Itsdahumidity

    Itsdahumidity X gonna take it from ya

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    Well for one thing we were winning quite a bit but still gained league wide respect due to Shula & the lack of a-hole players. We really didn't have "villains" so to speak.

    But there is something to espn's alleged hatred of our Phins. Look at blowhard Berman. He's a diehard Bills fan. Remember, they went o-fer in the 70s against us. Berman was 20yrs old in 1975 so from a teenager to young_ adult the Phins caused him pain.

    Also several years ago on espn radio, before he became a mainstay on tv, Trey Wingo was interviewed and said to the hosts:

    "do you know there are people in this building(espn HQ), decision makers, who don't believe Marino is a top all-time QB." He said it with utter disbelief.
     
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  17. padre31

    padre31 Premium Member Luxury Box

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    Not really, Shula was sort of a mainstay in the league, and we were always respected.

    There did used to be static about us getting calls b/c Shula was on the competition cmte, otherwise not so much, in fact they were as stunned about Coach shifting from a run heavy offense to Air Marino.

    Fast forward, we have 1 playoff appearance in 9 yrs, have chewed up two well respected types in Parcells and Saban, and had Stephen Ross's big adventure 2 yrs ago, we are not exactly covering ourselves with glory add in Miami is seen as being a crappy sports town and here we are.
     
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  18. MikeHoncho

    MikeHoncho -=| Censored |=-

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    Well put.
     
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  19. Zeke0123

    Zeke0123 message board ******* Club Member

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    Many reasons for haters...undefeated season highest winning percentage in all of sports winningest coach...we swept the bills for a decade. Don Shula the perfect season and Dan Marino didn't allow for much if any smack talk from our lesser competition so for a long time it was fun being a fan but once JJ left we have been open to criticism and people with grudges/agendas can easily take potshots now unfortunatly.
     
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  20. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    That's back when the NFL stood for National Football League, not sure todays game is football anymore....
     
  21. steveincolorado

    steveincolorado Spook, Storme & Pebbles

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    I think if you know someone that hates the Dolphins, you should ask "why"?
    If people hate the Dolphins because we were successful 35 years ago, must really hate Pittsburgh, New England and a few others for being successful in today's game.
     
  22. RickyBobby

    RickyBobby VIP DIY

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    People ser perfection and get intimidated, that's all.
     
  23. P h i N s A N i T y

    P h i N s A N i T y My Porpoise in Life

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    The dolphins are a popular team, like the cowboys, bears, 49ers, giants. Everywhere you go there's a fan of these teams. You never hear a fan of another team say they have a soft spot for a team like Dallas, Miami, etc. You love or hate em. Miami is the down on their luck east coast powerhouse in an east coast biased market. Kick when they're down.
     
  24. Onehondo

    Onehondo Senior Member Club Member

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    I have been a fan since 1969 and I don't think we were ever disliked by the media or fans in general under Shula. Shula was humble and a generally nice person who didn't show an inflated ego like some coaches. Now you may of had some media and fans in particular market areas that were rivals that talked smack but nothing like today. The biggest ruckus that was raised was from Baltimore fans after Miami signed Shula. But they were appeased with a 1st round draft choice.
     
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  25. rafael

    rafael Well-Known Member

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    A factor may be where your older relatives hail from. I don't recall any nation-wide hatred of the Dolphins back in the 70s, but in the New York area there certainly was. The Jets were hapless for decades (the more things change the more they stay the same LOL). They always played us tough, but never made it anywhere. The Bills were hapless until about 85 or 86 whenever Kelly got there. I do wonder if some of that sentiment leaks into today as much of the media is NY area based. I do think that if we start winning the media perception will change quickly as the media tends to hype up any positive or negative to a ridiculous extent.
     
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  26. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    Its a combination, first, a perception that comes from being a fanbase nationally known to be fair weather...leave when early, show up late..2nd, jealous of the upper class mami lifestyle and demographic, which leads to sensationalizing every little thing that is perceived to be wrong in a negative way, which it isnt, some people think steven ross going across the country to talk to the best coach ever was disrespectful, I thought it was perfect and bad ***...duh and three..Lebron James..

    We need a young team that starts to play very physical, and fast...We need a team that finally can play with emotion on the field regardless of the atmoshere inside the stadium...and we need a new stadium..get those things and we can change the perception
     
  27. GISH

    GISH ~mUST wARN oTHERS~

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    For 30 years, the Dolphins were a respected team that could beat anyone. Losing Don Shula and Dan Marino sent this team into an era of very poor decisions. Even in the early 2000's we were still good because of our solid drafting in the 90's. but as the veterans departed and the head coaching position revolved like a carousel, our team has become less and less loved by the national media. That's what happens when experts pick you as a Super Bowl favorite and you don't make the playoffs. The experts diss you until you are good again. It's going to take 3 years of high level play to get respect again.
     
  28. jw3102

    jw3102 season ticket holder

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    Most teams in the division hated the Dolphins during the Shula era. It wasn't because of anything the team did, except beat their teams on a regular basis. The Dolphins were consistently a playoff team during the 70's and 80's and this meant that the Patriots, Jets, Bills, and also the Colts weren't making these playoffs very often because the Dolphins were the better team.

    Fans of these teams in the division didn't like the Dolphins for this reason. This is basically the same reason fans of the other teams in the AFC East don't care for the Patriots today. The Patriots have been a consistent winner for over a decade, while the other teams in the division have basically been bad to mediocre over this period of time. I guess it is easier to find fault with the Patriots, such as calling them cheaters, then it is to admit that they have just done a better job in the front office and on the field than your own team has done over this past decade.

    I think it is probably common for the fans within a division to develop dislike for the dominant team in you division who beats your team like a drum on a consistent basis. This is what the Dolphins did to division rivals in the 70' and 80's, and what the Patriots have been doing for the last ten years.
     
  29. jw3102

    jw3102 season ticket holder

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    I really don't know why you constantly think the fan base has anything to do with the perception of the Dolphins on a national level. I think the the perception of the Dolphins has nothing to do with the fans and everything to do with the way the organization has been run over the past decade. People look at the organization and wonder if anyone really knows what they are doing.

    It started with the hiring of Saban who never really wanted to be an NFL HC. It continued with the one year failed coaching job of Cam Cameron. It was thought that the hiring of Bill Parcells would turn this organization back around. The 2008 season gave false hope, and once Ross became the owner, it was one misstep after another. Parcells then decided to leave in the middle of his third year with the Dolphins organization.

    First Ross spent more time trying to entice fans to the stadium by bringing is celebrity part owners and building a dancing club, while the team on the field continued to regress. He attempted to sign Jim Harbaugh and later Fisher to be the HC of the Dolphins, but both turned him down. His treatment of of Sparano during the attempt to hire Harbaugh was seen as a complete mess, especially when he flew back home and gave Sparano a two years extension after trying to get rid of him.

    The Dolphins were thought to have the best chance of signing Peyton Manning when he became a free agent. Instead Manning wouldn't even fly to Miami, where he has a second home, to meet with Ross and Ireland. They had to fly to meet him and he really had no interest in coming to play for the Dolphins organizations. This just caused the national media to continue to question what the problem was with the Dolphins. Was it Ross or was it Ireland, or perhaps both of them.

    The problem certainly isn't the fan base. As is seen with the Miami Heat, South Florida fans will spend the money and go to the games if the product is a quality product. The Dolphin organization just hasn't been a quality product much over the past decade. Perhaps that is changing and the team will once again be headed in the right direction. Only time will tell, but until they start winning on a consistent basis again, they won't be viewed in a positive light in South Florida or nationally.

    As far as people who are jealous of our lifestyle is concerned, I can't blame them for that. I would be jealous of people who live in South Florida if I was stuck living in most parts of this country too. Fortunately I happen to live in South Florida and I can only feel sorry for all those individuals who aren't as fortunate as I am to live here. I am lucky that I get to travel all over the United States and other countries. While I enjoy visiting other states and other areas of the world, I am always happy to know that when my travels end, I get to go back and live in one of the best places on Earth, South Florida.
     
  30. MAFishFan

    MAFishFan Team Tannehill

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    I'm 37, live in New England and have been a fan since I was 9 years old. Growing up I don't remember any "hatred" towards the Dolphins. They always had national games. I could always find tons of merch up here in stores. They were a popular and respected team. Hell, most Sunday nights on ESPN, they were a Top 5 NFL highlight. I do think some dislike comes from Mercury Morris' attitude and the 1972 team appearing to cheer and celebrate any team's failure that threatens their record. That, I think is what rubs people the wrong way. Now? There's no hate for Miami. We're more a punching bag or laughing stock. Hopefully that'll change in the coming years and we can get back to that level of respect and dominance.
     
  31. Da 'Fins

    Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    I think there is truth to all this. There is a bias at ESPN (much of it is Berman's but also others). And, I think there's a bias against Marino for a significant number; not sure why.

    I also concur with other posters that winning creates hatred. And, losing creates ignoring. Combine the hatred from the past and the losing in the present and voila ... there is a bias.
     
  32. The_Dark_Knight

    The_Dark_Knight Defender of the Truth

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    Without reading everyone else responses I'll say flat out NO!!!! The Dolphins of the 70's and the 80's were a CLASS act! It started at the very top with owner Joe Robbie in putting together a CLASS organization and for the players, it started with Don Shula who truly CARED about his players, the purity of the game and the city of Miami. That influence resonated down to the players themselves who were GRACIOUS to be playing for an organization that was truly a class act all itself.

    Other teams in the NFL may have envied us, but no one would ever have said the Dolphins were a classless organization.
     
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  33. RevRick

    RevRick Long Haired Leaping Gnome Club Member

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    I was around in the 60's, 70's, and so forth... in South Florida.
    There were people who loved the Dolphins because they were the South Florida team. There were people in South Florida (probably still are!) who absolutely abhorred the Dolphins - because they either grew up loving another team before the Dolphins arrived, or they grew up somewhere else. During the 70's and 80's, most people living in South Florida were not native Floridians. So I ran into people who felt as if I were some very weird person (well, in some ways is was and still am) for being a Dolphins fan. Then there was also the perception of being an upstart team. Beginning in 1966, and having a perfect season in 1972 - to some people, that just ain't right. That alone was the cause for a lot of anger in some old time fans hearts.

    Since the 90's I have been in Georgia for seminary, and now in my vocation. Up here, the Dolphins are regarded in a more friendly fashion (even by die hard Falcon's fans) than they were by some people in South Florida when I lived there. And it is not the 'Well, those poor Dolphins' as much as it is "When are they going to get back to what they were?" form of regard. I have absolutely no doubt that were ESPN based in Atlanta instead of a suburb of New York and Boston that the disregard for the Dolphins would be much lessened than it is right now, since for decades the Dolphins were at the very least competitive, and more often than not dominant in games against the teams in that market. (Sometimes, I really wish Berman would go Allllll.... The.... Way..... out the door. But, I don't really even pay much attention to ESPN any more!)
     

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