Dolphins Super Bowl champion dead Howard Twilley at 81
A member of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins Super Bowl team and decorated college wide receiver has died at age 81.
Howard Twilley, who caught a 28-yard touchdown pass in Miami’s 14-7 victory over Washington in Super Bowl VII, died Wednesday. No cause of death was announced.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tulsa Football Legend and Hall of Famer, Howard Twilley,” Tulsa Football posted.
“Twilley was one of the greatest receivers in College Football history, setting numerous NCAA records before venturing to the NFL and winning two Super Bowls. Our hearts and sympathies are with Twilley’s family and his many friends.”
Twilley was a standout at Tulsa, where he finished second in the 1965 Heisman Trophy race to USC running back Mike Garrett.
During that historic run, he set NCAA records for receptions (134) and receiving yards (1779) in a single season. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992 — then the second-ever Golden Hurricane player to receive the honor.
Twilley became the first wide receiver drafted by the expansion Dolphins in the 1966 AFL Draft. He was selected in the 12th round.
Miami finished with losing records in each of its first four seasons before it hired head coach Don Shula.
In Shula’s first year, the Dolphins won 10 games and made the playoffs. The following year, they won the AFC championship.
“I can remember when it was really something just to make a first down,” Twilley told Sports Illustrated in 1972.
The Dolphins lost Super Bowl VI to the Cowboys but roared back in 1972 when they went undefeated in the regular season, with veteran quarterback Earl Morrall winning nine games in place of an injured Bob Griese.
“I can remember having Earl Morrall’s football card when I was in the seventh grade,” Twilley told the Houston Chronicle in 2017. “And I’m thinking to myself, ‘I’m playing with this guy and he’s a good friend.’ “
With Griese back under center, Twilley caught a touchdown at the end of the first quarter against Washington for the first points of the game. Miami’s win capped a perfect 17-0 season for the Dolphins.
For an encore, the 1973 Dolphins repeated as Super Bowl champs, beating the Vikings 24-7 in Super Bowl VIII.
Twilley played 11 years across the AFL and NFL before he retired after the 1976 season with over 3,000 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns.
He was married to his wife Julie in 1968 and they had three children.
After his playing days, Twilley worked in the footwear business and wealth management.
“I wouldn’t trade the experience of catching a pass in the Super Bowl for 10 million dollars or 20 million dollars,” he said in 2017. “I might, but I don’t think I would.”
