Miami Dolphins fans impress national media after lightning strikes

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Fans attending the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans are asked to take shelter from the lightning in the third quarter during the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Fans attending the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans are asked to take shelter from the lightning in the third quarter during the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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On Sunday afternoon the Miami Dolphins kicked off their 2018 season. On Sunday night they concluded their 2018 home opener.

Miami Dolphins fans impressed the national media on Sunday. The Dolphins game was side tracked by not one but two long delays after lightning strikes in the area. Most fans stuck it out through the first delay that lasted over an hour. It was the second delay that had media talking.

After the game resumed following the second delay almost six hours after it started, the broadcast booth complimented the Dolphins fans who remained to watch the conclusion of the game. A game that some believed would end up delayed yet again given the local weather systems flowing around the area.

During that second break in action Miami Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel tweeted that those seated in the 300 level were allowed to move to the non-club level lower seating closer to the free. In fact he was encouraging it.

There is little question that the stadium was near empty. While most fans stayed through the first break, the second brought a wave of fans leaving the stadium. Some wishing they had stayed.

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On a local broadcast way up in North Carolina, the sports caster complimented the Dolphins fans for “sticking it out and showing team pride” during a highlight segment. Dolphins fans are sometimes ridiculed for leaving games early or not even showing up in the first place but the core fans are fans that don’t simply get up and leave no matter the weather. They proved that Sunday.

Miami’s win of course is being downplayed by most of the national media. Afterall the Titans were down four top starters and lost two more including Marcus Mariota during the game. Miami simply couldn’t show off their offense with any degree of consistency with all of the breaks in play but there was an underlying promise of a high powered offense waiting to get out.

Hopefully, we will get to see that this week against the New York Jets.