MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WTVA/Dolphins.com) - In 2011, nine Hall-of-Famers were inducted into the inaugural Walk of Fame at Sun Life Stadium, and this year six “Unsung Heroes” are being bestowed the honor before Sunday afternoon’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Defensive tackle and Okolona native Tim Bowens is part of the Class of 2012. Bowens played high school football at Okolona High School before moving on to Itawamba Community College and later Ole Miss. Bowens was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the first round (20th overall) of the 1994 NFL Draft.
Joining the former Chieftain are quarterbacks Earl Morrall and Don Strock, wide receiver Nat Moore, defensive end/linebacker A.J. Duhe and fellow defensive tackle Manny Fernandez. The players will see their names unveiled at the Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza at Gate C at 11:30 a.m. EST before the Dolphins' game against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday.
Bowens (1994-2004) only played two seasons for legendary head coach Don Shula before helping set the tone for the Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas era and seeing those two go up in the Dolphins Honor Roll earlier this year while they gave him a ton of credit really opened his eyes.
“I didn’t know they felt that way about me,” said Bowens, who recorded 407 tackles (297 solo), 22 sacks and one interception in his 11 seasons. “I knew they respected me as a player but to see those guys go up and you’ve got other guys that are going to go up as my teammates it just feels great.”
One of the light-hearted moments of Wednesday's announcement came when Fernandez was asked his reaction to the fact that he and Bowens and played the same position, yet were about as far apart in size as two men could be. Bowens was 6-foot-4 and 325 pounds when he played and Fernandez was 6-2, 250.
Of course, this induction coincides with the celebration of the 40th Anniversary of The Perfect Season and the induction of former Dolphins defensive coordinator Bill Arnsparger into the Dolphins Honor Roll. That will take place at halftime and will be the culmination of Alumni Weekend.
Fans will be invited to attend the ceremony and unveiling.
