Quick quiz question

[CraigRye]

What was the first jersey number retired by the Dolphins, and it's not one of the numbers you may think?

[ChrisBabcock]

According to p-f-r, their retired numbers are for Griese, Marino and Csonka. Maybe they retired one and then unretired it?

[JuggernautJ]

According to the interwebs "the only number retired at the time (of the Dolphins retiring Marino's number) was Bob Griese's."

[CraigRye]

Yes Chris you are right... It is #51 which was "permanently" retired for 1 season

I've been doing some research into the Dolphins first season and came up with this gem.

As reported in the Miami News on 7 April 1966 the #51 jersey permanently (as it turns out not) retired. The 51 jersey was shipped to Danny Thomas (the original high profile part owner). Apparently Danny Thomas was sentimentally attached to 51 as his early success was in the "5100 Club" in Chicago.

It seems to have been quietly unretired for the 1967 season when Danny Thomas sold his stake in the Dolphins. Linebacker Jerry Hopkins wore it in 1967. As have a number players through the years.

[Gary Najman]

I remember the late Rusty Chambers wearing it and the back patch in the Dolphins helmets in 1981.