A member of the undefeated 1972 Dolphins Tremendous Bowl workforce and embellished school huge receiver has died at age 81.
Howard Twilley, who caught a 28-yard landing move in Miami’s 14-7 victory over Washington in Tremendous Bowl VII, died Wednesday. No reason behind demise was introduced.
“We’re deeply saddened by the lack of Tulsa Soccer Legend and Corridor of Famer, Howard Twilley,” Tulsa Soccer posted.
“Twilley was one of many best receivers in School Soccer historical past, setting quite a few NCAA data earlier than venturing to the NFL and successful two Tremendous Bowls. Our hearts and sympathies are with Twilley’s household and his many pals.”
Twilley was a standout at Tulsa, the place he completed second within the 1965 Heisman Trophy race to USC operating again Mike Garrett.
Throughout that historic run, he set NCAA data for receptions (134) and receiving yards (1779) in a single season. He was elected to the School Soccer Corridor of Fame in 1992 — then the second-ever Golden Hurricane participant to obtain the respect.
Twilley grew to become the primary huge receiver drafted by the growth Dolphins within the 1966 AFL Draft. He was chosen within the twelfth spherical.
Miami completed with shedding data in every of its first 4 seasons earlier than it employed head coach Don Shula.
In Shula’s first 12 months, the Dolphins received 10 video games and made the playoffs. The next 12 months, they received the AFC championship.
“I can keep in mind when it was actually one thing simply to make a primary down,” Twilley advised Sports activities Illustrated in 1972.
The Dolphins misplaced Tremendous Bowl VI to the Cowboys however roared again in 1972 once they went undefeated within the common season, with veteran quarterback Earl Morrall successful 9 video games instead of an injured Bob Griese.
“I can keep in mind having Earl Morrall’s soccer card once I was within the seventh grade,” Twilley advised the Houston Chronicle in 2017. “And I’m considering to myself, ‘I’m taking part in with this man and he’s a superb buddy.’ “
With Griese again below heart, Twilley caught a landing on the finish of the primary quarter in opposition to Washington for the primary factors of the sport. Miami’s win capped an ideal 17-0 season for the Dolphins.
For an encore, the 1973 Dolphins repeated as Tremendous Bowl champs, beating the Vikings 24-7 in Tremendous Bowl VIII.
Twilley performed 11 years throughout the AFL and NFL earlier than he retired after the 1976 season with over 3,000 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns.
He was married to his spouse Julie in 1968 and so they had three youngsters.
After his taking part in days, Twilley labored within the footwear enterprise and wealth administration.
“I wouldn’t commerce the expertise of catching a move within the Tremendous Bowl for 10 million {dollars} or 20 million {dollars},” he stated in 2017. “I’d, however I don’t assume I’d.”