T.D. is the official mascot of the National Football League's Miami Dolphins franchise. The Miami Dolphins official website jokingly states that T.D. was signed on April 18, 1997 by former Dolphins head coach Jimmy Johnson as a free agent.

T.D. the first "official" mascot of the Miami Dolphins first appeared at a Dolphins' home game on August 10, 1997 against the Chicago Bears; his first Dolphins home playoff appearance was January 2, 1999 in a win against Buffalo. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2004 and was the first NFL mascot to participate in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, in 2001. He was invited to Hong Kong to participate in the 2005 Chinese New Year’s Day Parade.

The Miami Dolphins conducted a "Name the Mascot" contest that drew over 13,000 enteries covering all 50 states and 22 countries. 529 names were suggested. The winning entry, was announced at the annual Dolphins Awards Banquet on June 4, 1997.

[edit] External links

• T.D. at MiamiDolphins.com