The NFL Grand Finale is just two days away, and everyone in the universe is excited to see who will be the next Super Bowl champion. But sadly, we lost a Super Bowl legend before the big game. Howard Twilley, a 2-Time Super Bowl Champion, passed away at the age of 81 on February 5, 2025.
Howard Twilley is best known for helping the Dolphins achieve a perfect season in 1972 and winning the Super Bowl the next year.
In college, he was a star player at Tulsa, earning All-American honors and finishing second for the Heisman Trophy in 1965. He set NCAA records for most receiving yards (1,779) and most catches (134) in a season—records that lasted over 20 years.
Twilley was drafted in 1966 by both the AFL and NFL. He chose the Dolphins and played his entire 11-year career with them. In his first season, he caught 10 passes for 128 yards. He and Norm Evans were the only original Dolphins to be part of the undefeated 1972 team.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tulsa Football Legend and Hall of Famer, Howard Twilley.
— Tulsa Football (@TulsaFootball) February 7, 2025
Twilley was one of the greatest receivers in College Football history, setting numerous NCAA records before venturing to the NFL and winning two Super Bowls.
Our hearts and… pic.twitter.com/7njW7cFZgx
After football, Twilley ran sporting goods stores and later worked in an investment firm. His sudden passing has shocked the entire NFL community.
Fans react to Howard Twilley’s shocking death
The NFL community is in shock after hearing about Howard Twilley’s death at 81. Teams, players, fans, and analysts have shared their sadness on social media over the loss of the loved former Miami Dolphins wide receiver.
@DolphinsGary tweeted, “R.I.P Howard Twilley passed away 2-5-2025.”
R.I.P Howard Twilley passed away 2-5-2025
— DolphinsGary (@DolphinsGary) February 7, 2025
Played from 1966-1976!
Scored our first touchdown in Super Bowl VII pic.twitter.com/xZNYbFyPvx
@KevG163 said, “RIP Howard Twilley🙏🕯️.”
RIP Howard Twilley🙏🕯️
— Kevin Gallagher (@KevG163) February 7, 2025
Original Miami Dolphin
The dependable #Dolphins receiver played 11 seasons in Miami from the franchise's inception in 1966.
He scored the #GoFins' first touchdown in Super Bowl VII.
Two-time Super Bowl champion and member of the '72 Perfect Season team pic.twitter.com/0tECf5trqd
@GoldenHurricast wrote, “RIP to an all-time TU legend in Howard Twilley.”
RIP to an all-time TU legend in Howard Twilley
— The Golden Hurricast (@GoldenHurricast) February 6, 2025
This thread has some awesome Tulsa-specific stuff https://t.co/lt1EDXABxp
@PoupartNFL wrote, “Days before the Chiefs-Eagles clash at the Superdome, the man who scored the first #MiamiDolphins Super Bowl touchdown has passed away. RIP, Howard Twilley.”
Days before the Chiefs-Eagles clash at the Superdome, the man who scored the first #MiamiDolphins Super Bowl touchdown has passed away. RIP, Howard Twilley.https://t.co/tUjXAwop1r
— Alain Poupart (@PoupartNFL) February 7, 2025
