MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (WTVA/Dolphins.com) - Up in the sky, the sun kept ducking in and out of the clouds, but at the Joe Robbie Alumni Plaza in front of Gate C at Sun Life Stadium six more permanent sunbursts were unveiled.
Last year it was the nine Miami Dolphins Hall-of-Famers that were inducted into the inaugural Walk of Fame class, and four of them returned to watch this class of “Unsung Heroes” get their moment. Dolphins owner Steve Ross introduced them to the crowd, starting with linebacker/defensive end A.J. Duhe (1977-84), then defensive tackle Manny Fernandez (1968-75), quarterback Don Strock (1974-87), quarterback Earl Morrall (1972-76), defensive tackle Tim Bowens (1994-2004) and wide receiver Nat Moore (1974-86).
All of the inductees knew the honor was coming and actually addressed the South Florida media earlier in the week, but the reality of seeing their tile unveiled with their names inside a sunburst next to Robbie’s statue really made it hit home.
Bowens and Strock, like the other players being honored, had to pinch themselves as they looked at their names engraved in the tile outside of Sun Life Stadium.
"It means it's going to be here forever," said Bowens. "My kids and my grandkids will come and see this, so it's a privilege."
Bowens played his entire 11-season career with Miami, going to two Pro Bowls and earning Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 1994. He finished his career with 407 tackles and 22 sacks when he retired in 2004.
Before being drafted in the first round by the Dolphins, Bowens played college football at Ole Miss and, before that, at ICC. He played high school football for Okolona High School.
