Miami Dolphins Logo History: The Leaping and Swimming Dolphin
Posted by JerseyZenith on Oct 26th 2026
- The 1966 logo was a leaping dolphin in a helmet with an M.
- The logo was simplified in 1997.
- The swimming dolphin arrived in 2013.
- The last game in the old look was the final 2012 game.
This guide covers the Miami Dolphins logo history as text: the main marks by year and why they changed. Photos show uniforms and equipment; standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
Miami Dolphins logo timeline
| Year | Change | Context |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Leaping dolphin and sunburst | The dolphin wears a helmet with an M |
| 1967 | Dolphin centered on the sunburst | Returns to the first position 1968 to 1973 |
| 1974 | Body centered, smaller logo | Remains until 1997 |
| 1997 | Simplified sunburst | Darker dolphin with a serious game-face look |
| 2013 | Swimming dolphin | Unveiled before the draft |
| 2018 | Slight tweaks | Navy removed from the uniform scheme |
| 2025 | Rivalries mark | Modified swimming dolphin without white |
The leaping dolphin, 1966 to 2012
The original Dolphins logo was a sunburst with a leaping dolphin wearing a football helmet with an M on it. At the 1966 debut a lighter, brighter orange was used. The dolphin’s head was near the center of the sunburst. In 1967 the dolphin was centered, and from 1968 to 1973 it returned to the original placement. By 1974 the dolphin’s body was centered on the sunburst in a slightly smaller logo. In 1997 the team simplified the sunburst and darkened the dolphin, giving it a more serious game-face expression, and added navy drop shadows to the numbers.
The Dolphins played their final game in the original look, with block numbers and the leaping dolphin, in the last game of the 2012 season, a 28–0 shutout loss at New England, wearing white jerseys.
The swimming dolphin, 2013 to today
A new logo and uniforms were unveiled shortly before the 2013 draft. The logo is a stylized aqua dolphin in front of a heavily modified orange sunburst, and the dolphin does not wear a helmet because it is a silhouette in aqua and navy. Navy joined the colors for the first time and orange was de-emphasized. In 2018 the team slightly modified the logo and uniform set, tweaking the shades of orange and aqua and removing navy from the color scheme except in the logo.
Rivalries and throwback marks
On August 28, 2025 the Dolphins released a Rivalries uniform with a dark blue helmet carrying a modified swimming dolphin without white elements. The 2015 aqua throwbacks and 2019 white throwbacks bring back the 1970s look, and fans who want the old leaping dolphin often search for those styles.
Orange, Color Rush and the mascot
Beyond the logo, the Dolphins have used special looks. An orange jersey appeared in 2003 and again in 2004, 2009 and 2010. The all-orange Color Rush uniform debuted on September 29, 2016 against the Bengals and was retired after that game. The first official mascot, T.D. the Dolphin, was introduced on April 18, 1997, the same year the logo was updated.
Logos and your jersey
A jersey carries the marks that were current for its style. A throwback listing shows older marks, and a current home or away listing shows the current ones, so check the style name and the product photo before you order. The Nike Game vs Limited vs Elite guide explains how the tiers differ, and the NFL jersey size chart helps you choose a size. Photos show uniforms and equipment; standalone logo artwork is not reproduced.
Wear the Dolphins logo
The logo story is only half of the picture. Shop the Dolphins jerseys for retro marks, the Miami Dolphins jerseys for the current set and the legends jerseys for past stars. For the uniforms around each logo, read the Dolphins uniform history. Fans who search for a "maimi dolphins logo" or "cool miami dolphins logo" mean the same marks described above. Fans also search for “dolphins logo”, “miami dolphins old logo”, “dolphins old logo”, “miami dolphins logo history”, “miami dolphin logo”, “dolphins logo history”, “maimi dolphins logo”, “miami dolphins logos”, “old dolphins logo” and “cool miami dolphins logo”. All of them point to the logo history above.
Dolphins logo FAQ
What is the Miami Dolphins logo?
A stylized aqua swimming dolphin in front of an orange sunburst, in use since 2013.
When did the Dolphins change their logo?
In 1997 (an update) and in 2013 (the swimming dolphin).
What was the old Dolphins logo?
A leaping dolphin wearing a helmet with an M, in front of a sunburst, from 1966 to 2012.
When was the last game with the old logo?
The last game of the 2012 season, a 28–0 loss at New England.