Legendary Miami Dolphins coach Don Shula has died at the age of 90, the team confirmed Monday morning.
"Don Shula was the patriarch of the Miami Dolphins for 50 years," the Dolphins said in a statement. "He brought the winning edge to our franchise and put the Dolphins and the city of Miami in the national sports scene. Our deepest thoughts and prayers go out to Mary Anne along with his children Dave, Donna, Sharon, Anne and Mike."
Shula was a titan. A two-time Super Bowl champion. Four-time Coach of the Year. Most regular season wins (328) and total wins (347) in NFL history. The Perfect Season. And an absolute legend in South Florida.
Here is reaction to Shula's passing from the world of sports and beyond:
_ National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell: "Don Shula will always be remembered as one of the greatest coaches and contributors in the history of our game. He made an extraordinarily positive impact on so many lives.
"The winningest coach in NFL history and the only one to lead a team to a perfect season, Coach Shula lived an unparalleled football life. As a player, Hall of Fame coach, and long-time member and co-chair of the NFL Competition Committee, he was a remarkable teacher and mentor who for decades inspired excellence and exemplified integrity.
"His iconic legacy will endure through his family and continue to inspire generations to come. We extend our heartfelt sympathy to Don's wife Mary Anne along to his children Dave, Donna, Sharon and Mike, the Shula family, and the Dolphins organization."
_ Pro Football Hall of Fame president and CEO David Baker: "The Game has lost one of the greats today, but we have all lost a truly incredible man. Hall of Fame Coach Don Shula served as an ambassador for this great game for more than half a century. His legendary feats on the gridiron led him to a record 347 wins to become the winningest coach in NFL history and allowed him to lead the 1972 Dolphins to the only perfect season in NFL history.
"Coach Shula was a man who truly loved the game and I have often been moved by the deep respect and affection he was always afforded by the men who played for him.
"The entire Pro Football Hall of Fame family mourns the passing of Coach Shula. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Mary Anne and their entire family. The Hall of Fame flag will fly at half-staff and we will forever keep his legacy alive to serve as inspiration to future generations."
_ Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue (1989-2006): "Don Shula represented the highest standards of excellence by virtually any measure. His contributions to the NFL and the game of football extended far beyond his all-time record victory total. Don also was an all-time winner when it came to integrity, honesty and class. The NFL owes him a great deal for his tremendous loyalty and work on behalf of the league and football fans across America.
"My wife, Chan, and I extend deepest condolences to Mary Anne, his sons David and Mike and the entire Shula family."
_ Patriots coach Bill Belichick: "Don Shula is one of the all-time great coaching figures and the standard for consistency and leadership in the NFL. I was fortunate to grow up in Maryland as a fan of the Baltimore Colts who, under Coach Shula, were one of the outstanding teams of that era. My first connection to Coach Shula was through my father, whose friendship with Coach Shula went back to their days in northeast Ohio. I extend my deepest condolences to the Shula family and the Dolphins organization."
_ Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher: "We lost one of the most iconic men in the history of NFL coaching in Don Shula. His leadership and wisdom helped to guide me and many others who have made a life in coaching football. Thank you Coach Shula. May your spirit and legacy live on forever. RIP"
_ Hall of Fame coach Jimmy Johnson: "Rip, one of the greatest of all time. Don Shula. He set the standard."
_ Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis: "Coach Don Shula leaves behind an incomparable legacy as the NFL's winningest coach and as the one who put Miami sports on the map. We will remember the great feats, like the only perfect season in NFL history, but also the qualities _ hard work, character, decency _ that made Don Shula not just a great coach, but also a great man."
_ Miami-Dade Mayor Carlos Gimenez: "It could be argued that this community came together for the first time when the Dolphins began winning Super Bowl championships." Gimenez, whose family came to Miami from Cuba in 1960, was fresh out of high school during the Dolphins perfect season in 1972. "Those were pretty good times. That's when I think this community really gelled into one community. We became one."
_ University of Miami football coach Manny Diaz: "So thankful to grow up in Miami and watch greatness on the sidelines every weekend. Thank you for bringing your toughness, your class and your dignity to the @MiamiDolphins. You will forever be an inspiration to an entire generation of coaches including this one. #Shula"
_ The Buffalo Bills: "We express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of former @MiamiDolphins Head Coach Don Shula who passed this morning."
_ Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem: "R.I.P to the great Coach Don Shula ... . #finsup 4L #LEGEND"
_ U.S. Men's National Team soccer player Alejandro Bedoya: "RIP to the winningest coach in NFL history. One of the all time greats and an absolute legend in South Florida. His legacy will live on forever. #PerfectSeason"
_ Inter Miami CF: "Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Don Shula. Thank you for all you have done to inspire and shape our community."
_ Florida Panthers CEO Matt Caldwell: "The Florida Panthers organization is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Don Shula. A true champion, an icon and a beloved figure at the heart of South Florida sports, Don was a talent that comes around once in a lifetime."
_ Miami Hurricanes athletic director Blake James: "On behalf of the entire University of Miami family, we extend our sympathy to the family and friends of the great Don Shula. Coach was an iconic community leader who helped change the face of our beloved City. He will forever be in our hearts."
_ Miami Heat: "Today is a very sad day for us all. We extend our most sincere thoughts and condolences to the family and friends of legendary coach Don Shula and the @MiamiDolphins organization."
_ Miami Marlins: "The Marlins organization joins the entire South Florida community in mourning the loss of a local icon. Don Shula's Hall of Fame legacy defined Miami for more than a quarter century, including back-to-back championships, the NFL's only perfect season, and a variety of thrilling victories at the Orange Bowl. Our thoughts are with the Shula family and the Dolphins organization."
