Did the Curse of the Tequesta Strike Miami Dolphins Once More?

Today’s headlines will proclaim the Miami Dolphins’ offense gave sub-zero effort in sub-zero situations and thus failed to increase their season in a ho-hum business-like 26-7 loss to Kansas City.

The actual storyline must be the Phins’ loss to the Chiefs is simply the newest indication that the franchise is cursed.

Ten years in the past, New Times and yours actually questioned whether or not the Dolphins have been a cursed franchise after an in depth investigation into Hard Rock Stadium, which was constructed close to the location of Tequesta Tribe burial grounds. Human stays and artifacts have been present in a deliberate parking and workplace space on the property, resulting in an archaeological assessment.

The Washington Post, Deadspin, and numerous others picked up the story of the Tequesta Curse following our protection, and films have since been made about it.

Sure, some experiences used incorrect names and did not credit score us for bringing these supernatural forces to mild, however we will all agree on one factor — the Dolphins’ misfortune has risen to legendary proportions. 

The Curse of the Tequesta

Back in 2014, New Times jogged my memory of a narrative many had forgotten — Hard Rock Stadium, then often called Joe Robbie Stadium, had its building delayed after historic stays and artifacts of the Tequesta Native American tribe have been discovered. You can learn all about it within the authentic article, however TL;DR — they excavated the burial grounds in six-inch increments, permitting consultants to sift by the grime. Archaeologists eliminated what relics they may discover, and a part of the property was put aside for conservation, however the challenge moved ahead.

The Dolphins moved away from the Orange Bowl — and an period through which they felt unbeatable — to their new and present residence, and the remaining has been, nicely, what’s the reverse of historical past?

Disappointments and mediocre season finishes marked the late Nineteen Eighties. The ’90s yielded promising division titles however are remembered by followers for wasted expertise and missed alternatives. The 2000s have been marked by gross incompetence and a 1-15 season. And all the things could be filed below paranormal in nature.

The Dolphins haven’t made a Super Bowl look since transferring into the stadium, and so they’ve didn’t win a playoff recreation for greater than 20 years.

No matter how good the Dolphins are, anticipate the worst to occur. While some might view the curse as a mere coincidence or a fantastic story, it has develop into part of the lore surrounding the Dolphins, providing a supernatural twist to the workforce’s historical past of ups and downs.

The Latest Evidence

If the Dolphins’ 2023 season is not extra proof of some terrible, mystical drive in play, you should pray tougher than we do as a result of we’re as satisfied as ever.

What started as a record-breaking season, through which the Dolphins have been on observe for home-field benefit and a bye week within the playoffs, turned to mud as practically each star participant on the workforce handled hardship, all the things from season-ending accidents to a home hearth. Folks, a home hearth.

The Dolphins’ finest participant, Tyreek Hill, handled a blaze at his mansion, sparked by a baby enjoying with a lighter, a number of days earlier than the essential Buffalo Bills recreation with the AFC East title at stake. If that does not provide you with goosebumps and remind you of a Carol from the ’80s thriller Poltergeist, nothing will.

Besides all of the accidents, a painful twist this season got here by the hands of the Tennessee Titans. With a two-score lead and below 4 minutes remaining, Miami would blow a essential recreation to the Titans at Hard Rock Stadium, dropping 28-27. It was a stunning loss that took Miami to second place within the convention with arguably the NFL’s hardest remaining schedule over the ultimate 4 weeks. And everyone knows what occurred after that.

We went from individuals calling this season’s offense the best of all-time in Miami to fumbling away residence video games and seeing the playoff run finish within the fourth-coldest recreation in NFL historical past, by the hands of the Chiefs. 

The Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

At least those that have cursed the Dolphins have a humorousness.