Expert: Al Pepper - 5/5/2004

Question
Dear Mr. Al Pepper
I was wondering if you tell me if the Dolphins played in a "Old school uniform" (around the 50's era) in a teal color?
This all began when I purchased an authentic replica throw back jersey as a gift for my husband, he loves football, and its memorabilia.  The jersey is "knitted" and has padded elbows  Buoniconti's name is on it.  His name and his numbers are hand sewn to the jersey. On its sleeve there is a white strip that encases the Miami Dolphin. It me so much hurt to see the disappointment on my husband's face when he opened his gift. I don't know much about football, but I know what he likes so when I saw a throwback jersey I thought it would be perfect. I trusted an advertisement, now I'm wondering could it have been false.  Phillilp, my husband, doesn't even believe that Buoniconti wore that type of jersey.  Please help me out to make some sense of it all ...THANKS A BUNCH.....       Becca
P.S.  If you don't know, do you know where I might find the answer?  Thank you so much for your time and effort.

Answer
Dear Becca: First off, the Miami Dolphins did not start play until 1966.  The AFL did not even exist in the 1950s.  As for Buoniconti, he did not become a Dolphin, until 1969.  So it's obvious that the throwback is not based exactly on an actual uniform the Dolphins played in.  I don't think the Dolphins Uniform ever had stitched sleeves and sewn-on numbers.

Since inception, the Dolphins' uniform remains largely unchanged in its aqua (which is like Teal), orange & white color scheme.  About the only think that has changed are some very minute changes of the dolphin logo on the helmet.   

However, many of these popular throwbacks, particularly with the expansion clubs, are not historically actual uniforms.  

Check out this web site and you will see the evolution of Dolphins' uniforms.

http://www.onlinesports.com/images/as-822.jpg

All this said, your husband should not be so despondent.  You put a lot of thought into it and I think he should be grateful regardless of whether it is the real McCoy or not.

                              Hope this helps/AP