During this time of year, fans propose that maybe their team’s poor play is due to a curse. The Miami Dolphins and their “Dolfans” are not any different. There has been talk that the stadium the Dolphins have been playing in since 1987, is haunted.
Dolphins Playing in Possibly Haunted Stadium
There is no better time of year than this to propose such a theory. Despite the Dolphins having a very successful year thus far (no jinx!), the idea has been floated around for several years. In actuality, is it any sillier to posit such a question than it is to say that a team was haunted by a goat? Or say that another was haunted by a player who turned out to be one of the greatest of all time, after he was traded for the rights to a play?
Origin of Alleged Haunting of the Miami Dolphins
The first trace of such haunting can be found in an old Ocala Star Banner newspaper from 1985. That article mentions that the Native American artifacts had been found. An LA Times article from 1987 states that archaeologists told then-owner Joe Robbie that at least two acres of the land the stadium was being built upon were burial grounds of the Tequesta circa 800 AD, and Seminole tribes. The article does not specify what types of artifacts were found, only that the stadium was built on the former site of Native tribes.
The Orange Bowl
The Dolphins play in what is now known (for the time being) as Hard Rock Stadium. They had played their home games at the Orange Bowl from their inception in 1966 up until 1986. The Dolphins have not been back to the Super Bowl since playing in the “haunted” stadium. Their last Super Bowl appearance came in 1984 (the Super Bowl game was played in January of 1985), a 38-16 loss to the 49ers. The Dolphins two Super Bowl wins also came while they called the Orange Bowl – their old home.
The Name
Originally known as Dolphins Stadium, it has seen many a name change since. The stadium was once called Joe Robbie after the former owner who built it. In 2016, maybe as a peace offering to the Seminole Tribe whose ancestors occupied the land during the mid-19th century, the Dolphins partnered with the Hard Rock Brand of Cafés and Casinos. The Seminole Tribe owns a Hard Rock Casino about twenty minutes north of the stadium in Hollywood, Florida. If the Dolphins were hoping for forgiveness or good karma from their partnership, it has yet to pan out. Though, again this year has been pretty successful, thus far.
This time of year, stories and legends take center stage. Poor play by one’s favorite team means the only logical explanation has to be the illogical; a curse. The Miami Dolphins and their fans are hoping to put to rest the “Curse of the Tequesta”, this season. Until then, why not entertain the idea that it is a curse that has been the explanation for the team’s poor play over the past 20 or so seasons?
Main Photo: Jim Rassol – USA Today Sports
