Dolphins Birthday: Big-Play Receiver Jimmy Cefalo Turns 70

Though never a superstar, wide receiver Jimmy Cefalo could stretch the field for the Miami Dolphins. Born Oct. 6, 1956, Cefalo celebrates his 70th birthday today!

A big play receiver out of Penn State, Jimmy Cefalo was selected in the third round of the 1978 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Cefalo spent the entirety of his 7-year career with the Dolphins. Although Cefalo finished with just 1,739 yards and 13 touchdowns, he holds several notable distinctions.

Against the Washington Redskins in Super Bowl XVII, Cefalo got the scoring started with a 76-yard touchdown reception from David Woodley. That remains Miami’s longest Super Bowl touchdown from scrimmage.

Cefalo also caught quarterback Dan Marino’s then-record 37th touchdown pass of the 1984 season against the Los Angeles Raiders. Marino threw 48 touchdown passes that year — a record that would last more than two decades.

Among players with at least 50 career receptions for the Dolphins, Cefalo’s 18.7 yards per catch average ranks second in team history behind only Hall of Famer Paul Warfield. Following his playing career, Cefalo has gone on to become an award-winning broadcaster, working for NBC and as the play-by-play man on radio for Dolphins broadcasts.