Sad News Former receiver for the undefeated 1972 Dolphins and Heisman Trophy runner-up at Tulsa, passes away.

Howard Twilley, a standout receiver for the Miami Dolphins’ undefeated 1972 season and Heisman Trophy runner-up at the University of Tulsa, has passed away at 81.

Twilley passed away on Wednesday, as confirmed by a Tulsa spokesperson who verified the news with his family. The cause of death was not disclosed.

Twilley caught a touchdown pass in Super Bowl VII against Washington, securing Miami’s 14-7 win to complete their perfect 17-0 season. He was also part of the Dolphins team that won back-to-back Super Bowls the following year. Over his 11-year career, which ended in 1976, he recorded 212 receptions for 3,064 yards and 23 touchdowns.

During the mid-1960s at Tulsa, Twilley posted remarkable stats in an era dominated by the running game. He tallied 261 receptions for 3,343 yards and 32 touchdowns in college. His school record for career receiving yards remained unbroken until Keylon Stokes surpassed it in 2022.

In 1965, Twilley finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up to USC’s Mike Garrett after setting NCAA records with 134 catches for 1,779 yards—marks that stood for over 20 years. That season, he had standout performances, including five touchdown catches against Louisville and over 200 receiving yards in multiple games, with a high of 267 yards on 16 receptions against Memphis.

In 1965, Twilley served as captain of the Academic All-America team and was named MVP of the 1966 Senior Bowl.

Twilley was drafted by Minnesota in the 14th round of the 1966 NFL Draft and by Miami in the 12th round of the AFL Draft. He chose to join the Dolphins, a first-year team, and spent his entire professional career with them.

After retiring from football, Twilley ran sporting goods stores in Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas. In 1994, he considered a congressional run in Oklahoma but opted to support fellow former Tulsa receiver Steve Largent instead.

Twilley was honored with inductions into the Tulsa Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1992, and the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 1995. Tulsa also retired his No. 81 jersey.