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Dan Marino chats with Terry Bradshaw before a game against the Atlanta Falcons in 1986. Marino idolized Bradshaw as a kid growing up in Pittsburgh. He dreamed of someday playing quarterback for the Steelers. It could have happened. In 1983, the Steelers had the opportunity to draft Marino. Bradshaw was in his final season in 1983 and the Steelers needed a young quarterback. However, Marino kept falling in the draft due to rumors of drug use and excessive partying in college. The Steelers had the 21st pick and Marino was available. The Steelers chose Texas Tech defensive lineman Gabe Rivera. Marino would slip all the way down to the 27th pick, where he was selected by the Dolphins. Gabe Rivera would suffer serious injuries from a car accident and was paralyzed. He would never play football or walk again.
Marino would shatter virtually all of the NFL’s passing records during a brilliant 17-year career with the Miami Dolphins. From 1983 to 1999, Marino threw for 61,361 yards and 420 touchdown passes. He was selected to the Pro Bowl 9 times and was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player in 1984. To read more stories about the Orange Bowl, visit us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/
