FOOTBALL
Former Dawg All-Americans Jake Scott and Bill Stanfill will become the 19th and 20th members to be inducted into the Miami Dolphin Honor Roll during halftime ceremonies of the team’s game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, November 18, at Sun Life Stadium.
“It’s only fitting that Jake and Bill are going in together -- two Dawg teammates and good friends,” said former Miami Dolphins Head Coach Don Shula. “They had great careers with the Dolphins and I’m glad they are being honored on the same day by their induction into the team’s Honor Roll."
"Both Jake and Bill were big play defenders. Jake had a knack of coming up with key interceptions in big games, with none bigger than his two picks in Super Bowl VII, earning him MVP honors in that contest and helping us finish our “Perfect Season” undefeated. Bill became the leading sacker in Dolphin history, and did so despite the fact that many times we only rushed with three linemen. With two more members of the “No-Name Defense” added to the Honor Roll, it gives more recognition to a defense that certainly deserves it.”
Scott was a seventh-round draft choice of the club in 1970 out of Georgia. The safety made an immediate impact in his rookie season where he notched five interceptions for 112 yards and added a touchdown on a punt return. He continued his strong play in his second season, recording seven interceptions and 318 yards on punt returns. Scott was a key member of the 1972 Miami Dolphins undefeated season, and finished that season as MVP of Super Bowl VII, recording two interceptions and 63 return yards in the Dolphins' 14-7 win over the Washington Redskins. Scott also played for the Dolphins in their 24-7 Super Bowl VIII win against the Minnesota Vikings, recording a fumble recovery, 20 punt return yards, and 47 kickoff return yards in that game.
In his six seasons with the Dolphins (1970-75), Scott had 35 interceptions for 425 yards and returned 127 punts for 1,330 yards. He was a five-time Pro Bowl selection (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974 and 1975) and a two-time Associated Press first-team All-Pro selection (1973, 1974).
“The reason I was happy to get named to the Honor Roll was because it really honors our defense of the 70’s and shows just how good we really were now that we have so many guys up there,” said Scott. “It brings attention to our defense that we never got back then. We never got a lot of credit, but you don’t win a couple of Super Bowls if you can’t play defense, and with Bill and I going in, it shows that we had some pretty good players on that side of the ball. It’s also special to go in with Bill for another reason -- he’s my old buddy dating back to our Georgia days. We started off as roommates our freshman year and stayed close ever since. So it’s a great honor to join the Honor Roll along with someone I’ve been friends with forever.”
Stanfill was drafted by Miami one year prior to Scott in the first round of the 1969 draft (11th overall). The defensive end led the team unofficially in sacks with eight in his rookie year and was named to the AFL All-Star game. In 1970, Stanfill, again unofficially led the team in sacks with six. The following season Stanfill was an All-AFC choice and was unofficially third on the team with 6½ sacks. In 1972, Stanfill was unofficially second on the 17-0 Super Bowl winning Dolphins team with 10 sacks and followed it up with a stellar season in 1973 with a team record 18 ½ sacks.
In his eight seasons with the team (1969-76), Stanfill unofficially totaled 67½ career sacks, a team record at the time. He also is unofficially tied for fourth in the Dolphins' playoff record for sacks with four. Stanfill was also a five-time Pro Bowl selection (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1974)
“It’s an honor to be selected to the Dolphin Honor Roll, especially since I’m going in with Jake Scott, my college roommate my freshman and sophomore years at Georgia,” said Stanfill. “He was an outstanding teammate, and we had some great times both in college and in the pros. We won an SEC Championship at Georgia and we were both lucky to wind up together in Miami, where we played together in three Super Bowls and won two of them. The only thing I regret about my career is that it was cut short because of injury. I just wish I played longer with the Dolphins before injuries knocked me out, because I really enjoyed my time in Miami -- I had some great teammates and coaches. That’s why being named to the Honor Roll means so much -- I’m joining a great group of teammates already enshrined there, and I’m especially thrilled that Jake is going in with me.”
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