Daniel Constantine Marino, Jr. (born September 15, 1961) is a former American Football player who was a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). The last quarterback of the Quarterback Class of 1983 to be taken in the first round, Marino held or currently holds dozens of NFL records associated with the quarterback position. Despite never being on a Super Bowl-winning team, he is recognized as one of the greatest quarterbacks in American football history. Best remembered for his quick release and powerful arm, Marino led the Dolphins to the playoffs ten times in his seventeen-season career. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
He led the Miami Dolphins to an AFC championship in the 1984 season, only his second season in the NFL. During that year, he threw a then-NFL record 48 touchdown passes. Despite the 14–2 season and Marino's touchdown record, the Dolphins lost Super Bowl XIX 38–16 to the 15–1 San Francisco 49ers.
Marino's career record as a quarterback in the postseason was 8-10, including that Super Bowl loss in his second season in 1984.
During Marino's career, the Dolphins were perennial playoff contenders, reaching the post-season in 10 of his 17 seasons. He was selected to play in nine Pro Bowls (1983–87, 1991–92, 1994–95), seven times as a starter, but due to injuries he only played in two of the games (1984, 1992). He was named first- or second-team All-Pro eight times and earned All-AFC honors six times. Marino has won all three major individual awards: NFL MVP (1984); NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1994); and NFL Man of the Year (1998), which recognizes charitable work off the field.
In 1999, Marino was ranked number 27 on The Sporting News list of the 100 greatest football players, making him the highest-ranking Dolphins player. In 2010 he was ranked number 25 on the NFL's Top 100 Greatest Players list. Marino was known for his quick release, and despite the fact that he was not skilled at scrambling, Marino possessed an uncanny awareness in the pocket, often sliding a step or two to avoid the pass rush. Marino is currently fifth, behind Brett Favre, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and John Elway on the list of most wins by a starting quarterback, with 147. His winning percentage was .613.