Dan Marino, one of the most iconic quarterbacks in NFL history and the face of the Miami Dolphins for nearly two decades, recently opened up about a personal health battle he’s been quietly navigating since 2007. The Hall of Famer revealed in a new interview that he was diagnosed with a fatty liver condition known as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis-better known in medical circles as MASH.
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For fans who remember Marino’s laser-quick release and uncanny vision on the field, it’s a reminder that even the toughest competitors face challenges off it. Marino, who played his entire career with the Dolphins from 1983 to 1999, was known for keeping his body in top-tier shape throughout his playing days.
He was a nine-time Pro Bowler, the 1984 NFL MVP, and the man who led Miami to a Super Bowl appearance in just his second season. But it wasn’t until several years into retirement that he was hit with a different kind of blitz-one from his own health.
“I wasn’t really working out as much as I should,” Marino admitted. “Because I used to work out when I played all the time and I kind of got away from that a little bit.”
That shift in routine caught up with him. Doctors diagnosed him with MASH, a condition that can lead to liver inflammation and damage if untreated.
Fortunately, Marino was told the disease is reversible-if he made some key lifestyle changes.
And that’s exactly what he’s done. Marino said he’s made a conscious effort to get back to the basics: more walking, bike rides, and a renewed focus on nutrition.
“You gotta work out. You got to lose weight,” he recalled being told.
Now, he’s on a path to better health and said he’s optimistic about his future: “It’s gonna get better and better and better.”
Marino’s legacy in Miami is untouchable. He helped keep the Dolphins competitive throughout the ’80s and ’90s, a bridge from the Don Shula dynasty of the ’70s to the modern game.
Under Shula, Miami won back-to-back Super Bowls in 1972 and 1973-including that legendary perfect season. Marino took the reins in 1983 and led the team to the playoffs 10 times, including three AFC Championship appearances and a shot at the Lombardi Trophy in Super Bowl XIX.
But since Marino hung up the cleats 25 years ago, the franchise has struggled to find its footing. The Dolphins haven’t won a playoff game since 2000-the longest active drought in the NFL.
They’ve made the postseason just four times since 2002, each time bowing out in the Wild Card Round. And with an 0-2 start to this season, the pressure is mounting once again in South Florida.
Still, Marino remains a revered figure in the organization and among fans. His willingness to speak openly about his health battle adds another layer to his legacy-not just as a football legend, but as someone who continues to lead by example. He may no longer be slinging touchdowns on Sundays, but Marino’s latest comeback story is one worth watching.