Miami Dolphins To Wear Patch In Honor Of Legendary Coach Don Shula

The Miami Dolphins announced on Thursday the team will wear a patch during the upcoming season in honor of legendary head coach Don Shula, who passed away in May at age 90.

The Greatest of All Time.

This season, we will wear a jersey patch to honor the life and legacy of Coach Don Shula. pic.twitter.com/g8exTShZmM
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) August 13, 2020

The hexagonal patch will feature Shula’s last name and “347” to indicate his all-time wins, which are the most in NFL history and includes two Super Bowl victories and the league’s only perfect season in 1972.

“Don Shula’s lasting impact on the Miami Dolphins, NFL and South Florida community is immeasurable,” team owner Stephen Ross said in a statement. “We are proud to continue honoring his historic life and legacy with a patch that is emblematic of his success on the football field as the winningest coach in our league’s history.”

This marks the first time in franchise history that Miami will wear a patch on its uniform to honor an individual, though the Dolphins wore a black armband in 1990 to indicate the passing of founder Joe Robbie. The team has also donned helmet decals for current or former players who have passed away, including linebacker Larry Gordon in 1983, running back David Overstreet in 1984 and linebacker Nick Buoniconti and center Jim Langer in 2019.

The patch will make its on-field debut when Miami opens the 2020 season against the New England Patriots on Sept. 13.