The Miami Dolphins mascot, Flipper, is a beloved figure at every Dolphins home game. Flipper is an adorable and energetic bottlenose dolphin who brings joy and excitement to fans of all ages. Sporting the team's iconic aqua and orange colors, Flipper is a constant presence on the sidelines, entertaining the crowd with flips, dives, and clever tricks. Flipper has been the official mascot of the Miami Dolphins since the team's inception in 1966. The choice of a dolphin as the team's mascot was a perfect fit, as dolphins are known for their intelligence, agility, and playfulness – all qualities that the Dolphins organization strives to embody on and off the field. Throughout the years, Flipper has become an integral part of the Dolphins fan experience.
Will the real Flipper please take a bow?
You may just see one "Flipper" swimming in the ocean, but the title role of the film of the same name was played actually by four dolphins, including one life-size animatronic mammal affectionately dubbed robo-Flipper.
The three live bottlenose dolphins who shared top billing were named Jake, Fat Man and McGuyver. Each had a distinct personality, according to Alan Shapiro, the film's director and screenwriter.
"McGuyver was our beautiful dolphin, Jake was the best trained and loved people, and Fat Man was old and lazy but reliable," Shapiro said during a recent press tour at Universal Studios Florida.
Using a fake dolphin was essential for the more physically demanding scenes, Shapiro said. "The animatronic dolphin enabled us to do things that would be dangerous to a real dolphin," he said.
For instance, when you see Flipper doing his patented flip at the end of the movie, it's really a combination of robo-Flipper and animation.
Walt Conti, who was responsible for the robotic artistry for Free Willy, The Abyss, Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home and seaQuest DSV, created the mechanical Flipper.
Besides the dolphin, Conti and his 30-member crew constructed two other electronic mammals: Flipper's mother and a 1,200-pound hammerhead shark named Scar.
The goal, of course, was to make everything look as realistic as possible.
Shapiro, for one, is pleased. "I don't think people will be able to tell the difference between the real dolphins and the animatronic dolphin."
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The Miami Dolphins are an American football team based in the Miami Metropolitan area. They are one of the three NFL franchises based in Florida, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Jacksonville Jaguars being the other two. The Dolphins compete in the NFL as part of the AFC East.
Throughout the years, Flipper has become an integral part of the Dolphins fan experience. Whether it's performing acrobatics during halftime shows or interacting with fans in the stands, Flipper is always ready to bring a smile to everyone's face. The mascot even has his own merchandise line, with fans proudly donning Flipper-themed shirts, hats, and jerseys on game days.
About the Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins were founded by lawyer Joseph Robbie and television show host Danny Thomas in 1966. They were the ninth team to fall under the AFL extension and joined the NFL when it merged with the AFC in 1970. Throughout their history, they have been given nicknames such as 'The Phins' and the 'No-Name Defense.' The latter addresses their robust defense of 1972, the most successful year in the franchise's history.
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Aug 21, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back Malcolm Brown (34) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The franchise has been to the Super Bowl on five occasions, winning two in 1973 and 1974. They have made 24 playoff appearances in their 58 seasons. The Dolphins are 14 times NFC East division winner and five times that of the AFC Conference. They last missed on a playoff spot in the 2021 NFL season.
The Dolphins form the AFC East division with the New York Jets, New England Patriots, and the Buffalo Bills. Mike McDaniel is the head coach of the franchise, having joined the team in 2022 as their fourteenth head coach. The Dolphins comprise an overall 13-9-0 record under his command and have a 0-1 playoff tally. Don Shula is the most successful coach in their history with a 274-147-2 record and two consecutive Super Bowl victories.
American real estate developer Stephen Michael Ross is the current owner of the franchise. He bought a 95% stake in the Dolphins for $1 billion from past owner Wayne Huizenga. The franchise also has some celebrities as its minority owners, including Jennifer Lopez's ex-husband Marc Anthony, Tennis queen Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams, and American singer Fergie.
The Dolphins are the 11th richest NFL franchise as of 2023, with a market value of $5.7 billion. They had the second-highest valuation growth in 2022 out of any teams in the league. The team recorded a game-attendee average of 66,230 in 2022, 25th in the league. They have an Instagram following of 1.6 million and an X (Twitter) following of 1.2 million. Compared to the rest of the NFL, the Dolphins have a mid-sized fanbase.
Flipper's popularity extends beyond the football field. The mascot has made numerous appearances in the community, visiting schools and hospitals to bring cheer to children and adults alike. Flipper also participates in various charitable events, helping to raise funds and awareness for important causes. As the face of the Miami Dolphins, Flipper is an iconic symbol of the team's spirit and enthusiasm. Whether he's leaping through the air or high-fiving fans, Flipper represents the excitement and passion that surrounds Dolphins football. From children who dream of meeting their favorite mascot to long-time fans who have grown up with Flipper, the mascot holds a special place in the hearts of all Dolphins supporters. In conclusion, the Miami Dolphins mascot Flipper is a cherished and cherished symbol of the team's identity. With his playful and energetic personality, Flipper brings joy to fans at every game and is a true embodiment of the Dolphins' spirit. Whether in the stadium or out in the community, Flipper's presence is a reminder of the power of sports and the positive impact they can have on people's lives..
Reviews for "Flipper: The Face of the Miami Dolphins' Spirit and Tradition"
1. John - 2/5 stars - The Miami Dolphins mascot Flipper was a huge disappointment for me. I was expecting an energetic and captivating performance, but instead, I found the mascot's movements to be slow and clumsy. It seemed like Flipper was struggling to keep up with the routines. Additionally, the costume lacked creativity and seemed outdated. Overall, I felt let down by the performance and wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sara - 1/5 stars - I had high hopes for the Miami Dolphins mascot Flipper, but it turned out to be a complete letdown. The mascot's appearance was unappealing, and it seemed as if no effort had been put into making it engaging or entertaining. The lack of enthusiasm from the performer inside the costume was evident, and it left me feeling bored and disinterested. I expected much more from such a popular sports franchise, and I wouldn't recommend wasting your time watching this lackluster display.
3. Mike - 2/5 stars - As a fan of the Miami Dolphins, I was excited to see the mascot Flipper in action. However, my experience was underwhelming. Flipper's movements were stiff, lacking the fluidity and grace expected from a mascot. The interactions with the crowd were minimal, and there was no attempt to create an engaging and interactive atmosphere. I left the event feeling disappointed and hoping for a more captivating experience next time.
4. Emily - 1/5 stars - The Miami Dolphins mascot Flipper was a total disappointment. The costume looked worn out and tired, lacking any vibrancy or charm. The performer seemed apathetic, barely engaging with the audience or displaying any enthusiasm. I found myself questioning why they even bothered having a mascot if they were not going to put in the effort to make it enjoyable for the fans. Overall, Flipper left a sour taste in my mouth, and I would not recommend wasting your time on this lackluster performance.