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DOLPHINS UNVEIL DON SHULA PERFECT MOMENT IN TIME STATUE
AND DEDICATE NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN MIAMI-DADE
AND DEDICATE NEW CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN MIAMI-DADE
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today unveiled the “Perfect Moment in Time” statue in honor of Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula. The bronze statue, which will adorn the entrance of the new Dolphins corporate headquarters at Sun Life Stadium, marks the return of the Dolphins front office to Miami-Dade County after 16 years.
The ceremony took place prior to the NFL Pro Bowl in front of the new corporate offices on the east side of the stadium with Shula’s family, Dolphins alumni, special guests and dignitaries in the audience. Speakers included Dolphins owner Steve Ross, Dolphins CEO Mike Dee, Dolphins Coach Tony Sparano, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Dolphins Hall of Fame Alumnus Bob Griese and Dolphins Alumni Director Nat Moore.
The monument was commissioned from sculptor Toby Mendez by the Miami Dolphins in the summer of 2009 and honors the career achievements of Coach Shula and the 1972 perfect season. In early January, Coach Shula was presented with a bronze model of the monument at his 80th birthday dinner hosted by the Dolphins. The ten-foot sculpture depicts Coach Shula raised upon the shoulders of two players, Nick Buoniconti and Al Jenkins, and captures the perfect moment in time immediately after the Dolphins completed their undefeated season in 1972.
“Coach Shula had a unique ability to take 45 men of different skill sets and mold them into a unified group of champions,” said Ross. “While this statue honors Coach Shula, it also pays tribute to all the players he coached over the years, especially those on the 1972 team.”
The team also announced that the new corporate headquarters will bear the address 347 Don Shula Drive. The numbers represent the total victories Shula achieved in his illustrious career, the most by any coach in the NFL. The 35,000 square-feet offices will house nearly 200 employees. Additionally, more than 20,000 square feet of the east end zone concourse level has been refurbished, offering expanded fan amenities that include new concession stands and gathering areas. The rooftop of the new offices will also serve as a party deck for fans on the 400 level.
“Coach Shula represents the spirit of this franchise,” said Dee. “How fitting that his image will now greet and inspire the players, coaches, alumni, staff and guests who walk through our doors. This statue symbolizes the perfect intersection of this team’s glorious past and its brilliant future.”
The ceremony concluded with a ribbon-cutting led by Shula and assisted by the attending speakers and state legislators.
