MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins on Tuesday announced the death of legendary defensive lineman Manny Fernandez. He was 79.

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Fernandez signed with the Dolphins after going undrafted in 1968, joining the team when it was still part of the AFL. He spent his entire eight-year career in Miami before retiring after the 1975 season.

During his time with the Dolphins, Fernandez helped anchor the “No-Name Defense” during one of the most successful stretches in franchise history. He also played in three Super Bowls and was part of the teams that won back-to-back championships following the 1972 and 1973 seasons.

Fernandez recorded sacks in both Super Bowl victories and is unofficially credited with 35 regular-season sacks and 4.5 postseason sacks. (The NFL did not officially track sacks until 1982.)

He was also a member of the 1972 Dolphins team, the only NFL team to complete a perfect season. That group was later inducted into the team’s Honor Roll, and Fernandez was individually inducted in 2014.

The Dolphins released a statement remembering his impact on the franchise:

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Manny Fernandez, a member of the 1972 Perfect Team, a two-time Super Bowl champion, Ring of Honor member and an anchor of the Dolphins’ legendary N-Name Defense,” the team wrote.

“His consistent and selfless contributions on the field were instrumental to the Dolphins’ success throughout the early 1970s, particularly in the team’s three consecutive Super Bowl appearances, in which he produced some of the most memorable defensive performances in the history of the game,” the team’s statement continued. “Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and teammates as we remember one of the best players in Dolphins history.”

His cause of death has not been disclosed at this time.

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