Former Miami Dolphins star Manny Fernandez dies at age 79

Manuel “Manny” Fernandez, who won two Super Bowls with the Miami Dolphins, including during the Dolphins’ 1972 perfect season, died at the age of 79, the team announced Tuesday.

Fernandez was a key part of a legendary Miami defense that helped bring the team to three consecutive Super Bowls. The defensive lineman was a member of the 1972 team that did not lose a game during the regular or postseason — the only team to do so in NFL history.

“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 Dolphins wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family, loved ones and teammates as we remember one of the best players in Dolphins history.”

Fernandez was born in Oakland and played for Utah. After going undrafted, the Dolphins signed Fernandez in 1968, and he played there his entire eight-year career. In 2014, Miami inducted Fernandez into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll.

This story will be updated.