My speech at former Miami Dolphins Coach Shula's 80th birthday party

Written by fergie on January 7, 2010

When I was a little girl, I wasn't a fan of the Miami Dolphins or any NFL team for that matter.

I was a fan of the Rowland Raiders high school football team because my dad was their coach.

Before that, he was a star quarterback in high school and college. An athlete of the year at Whittier college. The only reason he didn't go pro was because he wasn't tall enough. At least that's what he tells me.

Like the rest of you here, he loved the sport so much, he made it his life.

Check out Coach Ferguson in his best "Shula" shorts.

Growing up in a football family, I learned a lot of things. Probably the most important lesson was to stay away from dad when he lost a game.

I was a cheerleader in Junior high and in High school where I was a Wilson wildcat. I'd like to think that's where the 'Fins got the name for the formation.

My favorite NFL team has always been the Miami Dolphins.

I'm proud to say, as of this week I still have the bragging rights of loving the only undefeated team in the history of the NFL. Thank you 1972 team and Coach Shula.

Players like Csonka, Warfield, Kiick, Griese and Mercury Morris, set the standard for what an NFL franchise should be.

Then came the Marino years where I would meet my dad at the sports bar decked out in all my gear every week to watch number 13.

Hi Dan! (That picture is from "... back when I had a Mustang!)

The first game I actually got to go to was a playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. Unfortunately we lost that day and I got called "sushi" on the way out of the stadium. I shed some tears on the way home and found myself singing, "They say I'm crazy cause the Dolphins make me cry."

It is such an honor to be invited here tonight and become part of this family.

But enough about me, we are here to celebrate the birthday of the winningest coach in the history of NFL, Don Shula. Congratulations to an Icon and his beautiful wife Mary Anne.

Happy Birthday Coach Shula.