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"I know I’m not going to make every block, but I don’t like to ever get beat. That’s what keeps me motivated. There’s always the next play to get ready for.”
(Alabama)...6'2'', 255...Dwight Eugene Stephenson ... Dolphins’ second-round draft pick, 1980 ... Exceptionally quick blocker with explosive charge off snap ... Recognized as the premier center of his time ... All-Pro, All-AFC five straight years, 1983-87 ... Elected to five consecutive Pro Bowls ... Started at center in Super Bowls XVII, XIX and 1982, 1984, 1985 AFC championship games ... Dolphins’ offensive captain ... Career cut short by severe knee injury ... Born November 20, 1957, in Murfreesboro, North Carolina.
Dwight Stephenson, a second-round pick and the 48th player selected in the 1980 NFL Draft, excelled at center for the Miami Dolphins for eight seasons from 1980 to 1987. An All-America at the University of Alabama, the 6-2, 255-pound Stephenson lived up to all his advance notices as a Dolphin.
In just a few years, he was universally recognized as the premier center in the NFL. He earned both All-Pro and All-AFC recognition five straight years from 1983 to 1987. He was named the AFC or NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in various major polls four years. Stephenson was selected for five straight Pro Bowl games, the first four as a starter. Injuries prevented him from playing in the 1987 and 1988 games.
Stephenson, who was born November 20, 1957, in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, was quiet, intense, hard-working and competitive. He was an exceptionally quick blocker and he possessed an explosive charge off the snap. He was the Dolphins offensive captain and his presence as the anchor of the offensive line was a major factor in the Dolphins’ record of allowing the fewest quarterback sacks in the NFL for six straight years.
In his rookie season in 1980, Stephenson spent much of his time on special teams while learning the rudiments of pro football offensive line play. His first NFL start came in 1981 when the regular center, Mark Dennard, was injured in the 11th game.
Stephenson played in 107 straight games and started in 80 consecutive games until the 1987 players’ strike ended the streak. He returned after the strike and started seven straight games before he suffered a serious left knee injury. Although he tried a comeback the next season, he was forced to retire when the injury failed to respond. Stephenson was the starting center in the 1982, 1984 and 1985 AFC championship games and in Super Bowls XVII and XIX.
Championship Games
1982 AFC - Miami Dolphins 14, New York Jets 0 Stephenson started at center for the Dolphins.
1984 AFC - Miami Dolphins 45, Pittsburgh Steelers 28 Stephenson started at center for the Dolphins.
1985 AFC - New England Patriots 31, Miami Dolphins 14 Stephenson started at center for the Dolphins.
Super Bowls
Super Bowl XVII - Washington Redskins 27, Miami Dolphins 17 Stephenson started at center for the Dolphins.
Super Bowl XIX - San Francisco 49ers 38, Miami Dolphins 16 Stephenson started at center for the Dolphins.
All-League Teams
All-Pro: 1983 (PFWA, NEA, PW) • 1984 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW) • 1985 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN) • 1986 (AP, PFWA, NEA, SN, PW) • 1987 (AP, PFWA, PW)
All-Pro Second Team: 1983 (AP)
All-AFC: 1983 (UPI, PW) • 1984 (UPI, PW) • 1985 (UPI) • 1986 (UPI, PW) • 1987 (UPI, PW)
Pro Bowls
(5) – 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987*, 1988*
* Did not play
In the NFL Record book
Team Records
Dolphins Records held by Dwight Stephenson at the time of his retirement following the 1987 season
[Tied for 2nd] Most Pro Bowl Started – 4 [Tied for 2nd] Most Consecutive Pro Bowl Started – 4 [4th] Most Consecutive Games Played – 107 [7th] Most Consecutive Game Started – 80
Awards and Honors
All-Decade Team of the 1980s
Full Name: Dwight Eugene Stephenson
Birthdate: November 20, 1957
Birthplace: Murfreesboro, North Carolina
High School: Hampton (VA)
Elected to Pro Football Hall of Fame: January 24, 1998
Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: August 1, 1998
Presenter: Don Shula, Hall of Fame coach
Other Members of Class of 1998: Paul Krause, Tommy McDonald, Anthony Muñoz, Mike Singletary
Pro Career: 8 seasons, 114 games
Drafted: 2nd round (48th overall) in 1980 by Miami Dolphins
Uniform Number: 57