Don Shula turns 90: A birthday card from daughter Sharon Shula
This piece was written by Sharon Shula, one of former Dolphins coach Don Shula’s five children, to celebrate her father’s 90th birthday on January, 4, 2020.
Dandy Don is turning 90. He chuckles and lets that loud laugh loose. You wouldn’t recognize the hardened football coach. He watches Biscayne Bay or the Carmel coast, reruns of Johnny Carson, and his ever expanding family -- always with a grin and sometimes puzzled amusement.
He is handed a cell phone and speaks but doesn’t have his own because he doesn’t want one. He always comes to the phone when I call, especially if I am interrupting physical therapy.
Dad’s strategic mind now plots ways to sneak food not on his diet; hot dogs and salami still delight his taste buds as much as they did when he was a boy. He still sweats when he eats, enthusiastic in his culinary consumption. His children have had to learn to eat slower so it’s no longer a race to clean your plate like dad.
His kids are joyous in his presence now; amazed at how lighthearted and happy he has become. He repeats his old jokes and we copy them in our personal lives. He loves this as we feed his one liners back to him.
I called to congratulate him on the 1972 team being the NFL100’s best team ever.
His response? “Who coached that team?“
“My daddy,” I reply, “and I taught him everything he knows.”
He roars with pleasure, hearing this, and shocks me with his response...
“I have learned some things from you,” he says.
Dad doesn’t give compliments to your face. I’ve heard from his friends and caretakers that he talks about me. Really? What does he say, I want to ask? What does he think of his daughter the lawyer and novice writer?
My only clue ever was tears in his eyes when he handed me my law school degree after giving a commencement speech on ethics, hard work and integrity -- exactly what a class of law students should hear.
I’ve read the recent articles about Belichick sticking around to break dad’s record of 347 wins. I am horrified at the thought but now understand how the Halas family felt when dad approached coach Halas’ record.
I hear myself say “records are made to be broken,” and try to explain this to my niece Sam who so vehemently defends her grandpa that I’m worried how she will react when the inevitable happens. I explain that Belichick will take longer to break the record and has had Tom Brady for the last 18 years to assist him.
I am comforted that dad’s integrity is being defended when the comparisons to Belichick arise. It has always been the most important philosophy associated with ol’ dad. That recognition warms my heart.
I recently visited the Los Angeles Coliseum for one of my nephew Chris Shula’s games. He’s a linebackers coach for the Los Angeles Rams. I hadn’t been there since the Dolphins first Super Bowl victory that crowned that glorious undefeated season.
I paused as I saw the Olympic torch, pondering the events it has witnessed: Concerts, Olympics, USC games and a Super Bowl -- that one that removed all the doubts about Dad being able to win the big one.
He never had doubts and neither did I.
I cried as I wandered in the end zone, picturing Kiick and Twilley scoring touchdowns and then dad being carried on the backs of his exhausted and elated players.
I know in his 90 years that day remains the pinnacle of his life. It is the best experience of mine, demonstrating the culmination of determination, hard work and the belief in each other that only a coach can inspire.
One coach, my dad, never breaking any rules, except the one that suggests no team can be perfect.
Happy birthday, my love. Happy birthday, dad. You still inspire me every day and now you do it with a smile and laughter.
This story was originally published January 4, 2020 at 1:28 AM.
