Dan Marino Should Be Insulted by Talk of Dolphins Giving Tua Tagovailoa His Number

Health withstanding, Tua Tagovailoa figures to be a superstar for the Miami Dolphins, who selected him with the No. 5 overall pick in the NFL Draft. However, like any other rookie entering the league, the former Alabama quarterback has to earn his stripes before we can put him on such a pedestal.

That's exactly what makes the report claiming the Dolphins are considering giving Tua No. 13, which was famously donned by team legend Dan Marino, so baffling.

The fact that this conversation is even being had should leave Marino, the franchise's greatest player of all time, feeling slighted. We're talking about a quarterback that, if he won a Super Bowl or two, would be in the GOAT conversation. The nine-time Pro Bowler's number should never be worn again.

Mike Bianchi of the Orlando Sentinel actually ignited this debate by suggesting Marino should un-retire his No. 13 and "give it to the next Miami Dolphins legend."

Can we please show a little more respect to Marino, please? As much as we love Tua, anointing him as the next Dolphins legend before he's even taken a snap in the NFL is blasphemous.

When all is said and done, the Crimson Tide product would be fortunate to say that he enjoyed half the success Marino did in his career. The Hall of Famer (!) ranks fifth in league history in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and pass completions. He has an MVP to his name and was a three-time All-Pro.

The Dolphins should do everything in their power to terminate this rumor.