The Miami Dolphins might have surrounded Bob Griese with one of the best-supporting casts of all-time with a stellar defense and running options, but that doesn't take away what he was able to accomplish as a leader of an offense. Without a superior mind taking snaps from behind center, it doesn't matter who you have on your team, some credit deservingly belongs to a quarterback on a successful team and we're here to give Bob Griese his flowers for his efforts on the field. The 6'1 quarterback out of Evansville, Indiana played three different sports out his home state institution of Purdue University. Griese played pitcher on the school's baseball team, guard for the basketball team, as well as quarterback, punter, and kicker for the football team. In 1966, Griese led the Boilermakers to their first-ever Rose Bowl and earned two All-American honors during his collegiate football career.
In the first-ever NFL-AFL merger 1967 Common Draft, Bob Griese was selected 4th overall by the Miami Dolphins where he would play his entire fourteen-season professional football career. Griese had an instant impact as the Dolphins quarterback throwing a touchdown pass on his very first play as a pro to wideout Joe Auer. However, the first three seasons were rough for the up-and-coming Florida-based expansion team. It wasn't until 1971 that Griese would lead the Dolphins to three consecutive Super Bowl appearances. After losing in their initial invitation to the big dance in Super Bowl VI against the Dallas Cowboys, Griese would lead an undefeated 14-0 Dolphins to a Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl VII as well as the following year in Super Bowl VIII. The 6x Pro Bowler also led the league in passing touchdowns in 1977 and was named NFL MVP in 1971 before hanging up his cleats for good after the 1980 season.