Overview
- The Miami Dolphins confirmed Tuesday that Manny Fernandez has died at age 79 and called him an anchor of the team’s famed No‑Name Defense.
- Fernandez joined Miami as an undrafted free agent in 1968, spent eight seasons with the franchise, and played a central role in the Dolphins’ three straight Super Bowl appearances.
- He was a key player on the 1972 Perfect Team and in Super Bowl VII was credited with a dominant performance that many teammates later said merited MVP consideration.
- Fernandez’s career honors include two second‑team All‑Pro selections, induction into the Dolphins Walk of Fame and Honor Roll, and unofficial totals of 35 career sacks.
- Tributes from the team and NFL community have poured in since the announcement, and news outlets note the cause and full circumstances of his death have not been publicly released.