Former Miami Dolphins running back Tony Nathan takes center stage next week when his adopted hometown pays homage to him for his performance on the field as well as his volunteer work at the Optimist Club.
The Town of Miami Lakes will honor the Alabama native at the January 5 regular council meeting at Town Hall. Nathan’s personal life story was written in his book entitled “Touchdown Tony: Running with a Purpose,” which inspired the 2015 movie “Woodland.”
Councilmember Manny Cid sponsored legislation to celebrate Nathan’s accomplishments with a proclamation, saying his rise from high school and college to the NFL can be a benchmark for young aspiring athletes.
“Miami Lakes resident and Miami Dolphins great Tony Nathan’s story serves as an inspiration to our youth,” said Cid. “With hard work and a strong faith in God, all is possible.”
Cid also recommended that Nathan be the first-ever inductee into the Miami Lakes Sports Hall of Fame which will be housed in the new Miami Lakes Optimist Clubhouse.
Nathan’s story was brought to life in the movie, which reflected on the racially-torn and turbulent period throughout the 1960s and 1970s in Alabama.
But Woodland High School’s football team and head coach Tony Geralds created a bond through their faith and became one of the best teams in the country.
The team’s winning streaks and state championship victory eased racial tension and brought the city together, as people had something good to root for.
Nathan went on to play college football at Alabama under legendary coach Bear Bryant, was drafted by the Miami Dolphins and played in two Super Bowls under Don Shula, the NFL’s all-time winningest coach.
In his nine NFL seasons, all with Miami, Nathan rushed for 3,542 yards, caught 383 receptions for 3,592 yards and 32 touchdowns.
Following his retirement from football, Nathan was the running backs coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the San Francisco 49ers.
He is currently a bailiff for former Dolphins’ teammate and County Court Judge Edward Newman.
Nathan was inducted into the Miami Dolphins’ Ring of Honor last year at Sun Life Stadium.