(Miami, FL) - The Miami Dolphins have lost another member of the 1972 Perfect Team, Manny Fernandez, who starred on the famed ‘No-Name Defense’ in the 1970s, has passed away at 79.
Fernandez was on both of the Dolphins’ Super Bowl-winning teams, beginning with Miami’s historic 14-0 season in 1972.
The Dolphins announced his death saying he passed away Sunday in Ellaville, Georgia. No cause of death was given.
‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Manny Fernandez, a member of the 1972 Perfect Team, a two-time Super Bowl champion, Ring of Honor member and an anchor of the Dolphins' legendary No-Name Defense,’ read the team statement.
‘His consistent and selfless contributions on the field were instrumental to the Dolphins' success throughout the early 1970s, particularly in the team's three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, in which he produced some of the most memorable defensive performances in the history of the game.
Fernandez was not selected in the 1968 NFL Draft out of the University of Utah, but he wound up signing with the Dolphins where he spent eight seasons as a starter on the defensive line.
Fernandez racked up 35 sacks and six fumble recoveries in 103 regular season games.
He helped the Fins win Super Bowl VII with his best post season performance yet with 4.5 sacks in 10 games.