The Costco Connection: When you
were first drafted, what were the Dolphins’
expectations of you?
Dan Marino: I was a first-round pick,
so the expectations for any first-round pick, at
any time, is that you’re going to be a starter
and you’re going to play and you’re going to
be a very good pro for a long time, and pretty
much that was my expectation coming out of
Dan Marino’s career
gains and weight loss
on and off
the field
college. I felt I had the talent to be very good
at what I was going to do and play quarterback in the NFL at a high level. That’s what
I expected to do.
CC: In a game not known for career
longevity, how did you manage to endure
for 17 seasons?
DM: What it was is, I think, the posi-
for your
health
prot ein TOP ATHLETES MAY make their mark on the field, but often, after retirement, they stay prominent in the public psyche in broadcasting or as a brand spokesperson. Think Joe DiMaggio for Mr. Coffee.
Or Michael Jordan for Nike and other brands. New York Jets legend
Joe Namath even posed in pantyhose for Hanes.
Dan Marino made his mark as a quarterback for the Miami Dolphins
from 1983 to 1999, becoming their all-time leader in career wins, passing attempts and completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns.
He set or tied numerous NFL records and was voted into the Pro Football
Hall of Fame in 2005. Post retirement, Marino has been a broadcaster and a restaurateur, and has played himself on TV in
The Simpsons and in movies, most notably, Ace
Ventura: Pet Detective.
His Dan Marino Foundation, founded in 1992
by Marino and his wife, Claire, has raised more
than $50 million for research and programs supporting children and families affected by autism.
For 10 years, he has served as spokesperson for
Nutrisystem, after the program helped him shed
more than 20 post-football pounds.
The Connection spoke with Marino about his
career, life after football and his work with Nutrisystem.
By Steve Fisher
Inset: Dan Marino with
post-career weight gain.
Below: After losing
weight with Nutrisystem.
Before
After
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