Miami Dolphins: The 15 Most Heartbreaking Moments in Fins' History

Missed field goals, botched snaps, untimely interceptions, horrid contracts, lopsided trades, misguided coaching moves and dismaying hires. Every team has their fair share, and the Miami Dolphins are no exception.

But the Dolphins seem to have stumbled across more misfortune, especially recently, than almost any team in the entire NFL. It's actually miraculous that despite this long list of heartbreaking moments, the team is still competitive.

But from Nick Saban to Jumbo Elliott and Jon Riggins, lady luck has not always treated the Dolphins well.

15. Referees Cost Miami Dolphins a Victory in 2010

Compared to the other heartbreaking moments on this list, the Ben Roethlisberger fumble isn't all that horrible. Sure, Miami lost the game, but this didn't carry the long-term side effects most of the others have.

This play is almost representative of the latest era of Dolphins football though; the negative stigma that hovers around the franchise. It seems like if something can go wrong, it will, and it is quickly starting to test the faithful's patience.

14. Dave Wannstedt Passes on Reggie Wayne for Jamar Fletcher

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07 Oct 2001: Jamar Fletcher of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the game against the New England Patriots at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 30-10. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Eliot Schechter/Allsport

Dave Wannstedt made his fair share of awful decisions during his tenure as Miami Dolphins head coach—that much we know.

But one of his worst decisions has gone entirely overlooked, and it completely changed the path of two franchises.

Miami entered the 2001 NFL Draft with a desperate need for a young, explosive wide receiver to aid Jay Fiedler. With the 26th overall selection, Wannstedt passed on Miami Hurricanes stud Reggie Wayne for cornerback Jamar Fletcher. The pick made almost no sense considering Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain were at their peaks, and the Dolphins' secondary ranked in the top five the season before.

Maybe he was trying to take a talent-over-need approach, but Fletcher was a total bust and spent only three years with the 'Fins.

Wayne, meanwhile, could be a Hall of Fame candidate.

13. Wayne Huizenga Hires Cam Cameron over Mike Tomlin

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FOXBORO, MA - DECEMBER 23: Head coach Cam Cameron of the Miami Dolphins looks on against the New England Patriots during their game at Gillette Stadium on December 23, 2007 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Hoping to rapidly fill the void left by Nick Saban's untimely departure, Wayne Huizenga embarked on a nationwide search for his next head coach. In order to comply with the Rooney Rule, Huizenga was legally binded to interview an African American candidate.

His choice? Mike Tomlin.

Tomlin has led the Steelers to two Super Bowl appearances (1-1 record) since '07.

Cam Cameron's claim to fame is 1-15.

Huizeng's intentions were good—after all, Cameron was the hottest commodity on the market. But it's safe to say this was one of the biggest gaffes, and in retrospect, most heartbreaking moments in team history.

12. Cam Cameron Drafts Ted Ginn, Jr. and His Family

It literally made too much sense to draft Brady Quinn with the ninth overall pick of the 2007 NFL Draft. Notre Dame's golden child had slipped past his hometown team into Miami's quarterback-hungry lap, and once the Dolphins were on the clock, few doubted whom Cam Cameron would select with his first pick as the team's head coach.

But then, this video happened.

In retrospect, we should thank Cameron for selecting Ginn and saving us the frustration of watching another quarterback fail to replace Dan Marino. Of course, Ginn has become a pariah in Miami, but we should be more upset that Cameron passed on the likes of Patrick Willis and Darrelle Revis.

11. Stephen Ross Purchases Controlling Stake in the Dolphins

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 19: Stephen Ross owner of the Miami Dolphins poses for a photo before his team plays against the Buffalo Bills at Sun Life Stadium on December 19, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The Bills defeated the Dolphins 17-14. (Photo by Marc Serota/Gett

Financially, Stephen Ross might be one of the most generous owners in the NFL. But with only one offseason under his belt, it's far too early to pass judgement on the real estate mogul.

When it comes to just about everything else though, Dolphins fans wish the man would just go away. From the Orange Carpet, to Club Liv, to Fins Up, to the new fight song, to the John Harbaugh fiasco, to his criticism of Tony Sparano's offense, it's becoming increasingly clear that Ross needs to stop dipping his hand into the team's operations.

Perhaps we were spoiled by Wayne Huizenga's dedication to the franchise's rich history, but all signs indicate that Ross' tenure will be a cantankerous one.

10. Jason Taylor Signs with the New York Jets

It was the ultimate betrayal. The sharpest slap in the face to a fan base in recent memory.

It's very difficult to blame Jason Taylor for signing with Gang Green. After all, the former Dolphins sack-master had a tenuous relationship with Bill Parcells and felt he still had a year or two of productive football left, but Miami had no interest in re-signing the defensive end.

Naturally, Taylor hit the open market in search of a suitor, and when the Super Bowl-ready Jets came calling, J.T. couldn't say no. Once he retires for good, Miami will welcome Taylor back with open arms, but his one season with the Jets will forever be a thorn in his legacy's side.

9. Wayne Huizenga Hires Dave Wannstedt to Replace Jimmy Johnson

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14 Jan 1999: Assistant coach Dave Wannstedt of the Miami Dolphins to reporters during a press conference at the Miami Dolphins Headqaurters in Davie, Florida. Mandatory Credit: Eliot J. Schechter /Allsport

Jimmy Johnson's tenure as Dolphins head coach was a bit tumultuous; allegedly, Dan Marino was prepared to either retire or leave Miami if Johnson returned as head coach in 2000. But had we known about the terrors his successor would produce, maybe keeping Jimmy around wouldn't have been so horrible.

Johnson, upon announcing his intentions to retire, conspired with Wayne Huizenga to lure in Bears defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt.

Wannstedt's Dolphins career, while studded with playoff appearances, was marred by frustration and odd decisions. He drafted terribly, ran Ricky Williams into retirement and was often criticized for his questionable coaching methods.

8. Nick Saban Lies, Then Bolts for Tuscaloosa

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MIAMI - DECEMBER 10: Head coach Nick Saban of the Miami Dolphins claps for his defense after a key series of downs against the New England Patriots at Dolphin Stadium on December 10, 2006 in Miami, Florida. The Dolphins defeated the Patriots 21-0. (Photo

Dec. 21, 2006: "I'm not going to be the Alabama head coach."

Jan. 4, 2007: Nick Saban accepts Alabama head coaching position.

Had Nick Saban not repeatedly lied to Miami, the ensuing backlash from his departure wouldn't have been so harsh. After he took the Crimson Tide job, he gave a heartfelt press conference to explain that his heart was still in college, and the NFL simply wasn't for him.

But Saban didn't handle it professionally, he lied and left. And he can sell his "passion for college" all he wants to, but let's keep in mind that if Saban stuck around, he would have been forced to deal with the Daunte Culpepper fiasco, which set the team back multiple years.

7. Miami Dolphins Choose Daunte Culpepper over Drew Brees

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MIAMI - SEPTEMBER 17: Quarterback Daunte Culpepper #8 of the Miami Dolphins passes the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the game at Miami Dolphin Stadium on September 17, 2006 in Miami, Florida. The Bills won 16-6. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Get

Drew Brees or Daunte Culpepper? One of these two quarterbacks would surely descend from the free agency heavens and solve the Dolphins' agonizing, post-Dan Marino depression.

Sophomore head coach Nick Saban essentially had first dibs on the pair, but his medical staff was left to decide which severely-injured quarterback would return to top form. The Dolphins' staff deemed Culpepper's recently torn ACL favorable to Drew Brees' surgically repaired throwing shoulder, and the rest is history.

Miami sent a second-round pick to the Vikings in exchange for Culpepper's services. The team promptly signed him to a huge, undisclosed contract, which probably payed Culpepper upward $6 million per year.

After one season, the former Pro Bowler was ousted from South Beach.

6. Larry Csonka, Jim Kiick and Paul Warfield Bolt for the WFL

Every dynasty meets its demise. But few, if any, have been abruptly terminated by a single act as the Dolphins were in the early 1970's.

After a perfect 1972 season and a second Super Bowl victory in 1973, the nucleus of the team's offense—Larry Csonka, Paul Warfield and Jim Kiick—accepted huge contracts from the upstart World Football League and left the Dolphins.

The team, though clearly on the decline from back-to-back championships, had still clinched a playoff berth in 1974; they could not overcome the loss of two Hall of Fame players and another integral piece to the rushing attack though.

The WFL never took off, and all three returned to the league. But Miami's chance at grabbing a third ring perished.

5. Jumbo Elliott Caps off the Monday Night Miracle

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Miami Dolphins led the New York Jets by a dominant score of 30-7.

We don't need a recap. It's too painful. Watch the video if you really feel like being tortured.

4. Jacksonville Defeats the Dolphins 62-7 in 1999 Divisional Round Playoff

One week after a stunning victory over the Seattle Seahawks, the Dolphins carried their new-found momentum into Jacksonville for the Divisional Round of the 1999 playoffs—a round which Miami had not gotten past since 1993.

It took only a matter of moments, and the Dolphins were soon simply shell-shocked, falling to their in-state rivals.

The worst part?

It was Dan Marino's last game—an absolutely travesty.

3. Ricky Williams Retires

Just days before the 2004 NFL preseason was slated to begin, a quiet, humid morning draped over Miami. A massive storm was about to disrupt the city and its beloved football franchise though.

On Aug. 4, Ricky Williams held an impromptu press conference and abruptly retired from football. Fans were outraged, and understandably so. But everybody failed to realize that Ricky had shouldered more than 700 carries in just two years—an unbelievably bruising workload that overwhelmed Williams' godly build.

Dave Wannstedt might be the one to blame for Williams' retirement, considering he basically relied on the running back to carry his entire offense. Fortunately, Ricky has returned to Miami's good graces, but his retirement will forever stand as one of the most jaw-dropping, heartbreaking moments in 'Fins history.

2. Miami Falls to the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX

Miami's most recent Super Bowl appearance came 26 years ago when the 'Fins were matched up with the 1980's powerhouse 49ers">San Francisco 49ers.

All the hype centered on "Montana vs. Marino," but after kickoff, there was no discussion. The Dolphins led 10-7 after the first quarter, but Montana and the Niners outscored Miami 31-6 throughout the rest of the game.

It was Marino's only Super Bowl appearance.

1. Jon Riggins Trucks Don McNeal, Dolphins Lose Super Bowl XVII

In the strike-shortened 1983 NFL season, the David Woodley-led Miami Dolphins met up with the legend-studded Washington Redskins. Miami was favored by three, and led by four entering the fourth quarter.

But on fourth-and-short in the fourth quarter, Jon Riggins took a toss from Joe Theismann and entered Super Bowl immortality.