Raised in Oakland, California, Davone Bess starred at Skyline High School under the direction of Oakland area coaching legend, John Beam. Bess received a scholarship offer to Oregon State, however a post-graduation arrest led to the loss of his scholarship and more than a year in the Byron Boys Ranch Juvenile Facility. With help from Coach Beam, Bess overcame the odds and ultimately attended the University of Hawaii, where he would set school records with 293 receptions and 41 touchdowns in just three seasons. Despite his success at Hawaii, Bess went undrafted in 2008 and signed with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent. Bess not only made the team, but finished the regular season with 54 receptions, second most in NFL history for an undrafted rookie wideout. In one of the most powerful Fish Tank episodes to date, Davone candidly shares the details of his arrest after high school, as well as the lessons he learned while incarcerated. He fondly recalls his days with the Miami Dolphins, including barbeques at Paul Soliai’s house, and the camaraderie he shared with fellow wide receivers Ted Ginn, Jr. and Greg Camarillo. Davone is also extremely honest and vulnerable as he opens up about his post career struggles with depression.
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While not widely recruited out of Tuscaloosa High School, a chance film room discovery by Bear Bryant led to Bob Baumhower playing on the defensive line for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Baumhower helped lead the Tide to a 31-4 record during his college career while earning consecutive All-SEC honors in 1975 and 1976. The Miami Dolphins took Bob in the second round of the 1977 NFL Draft and he was thrust into the starting lineup, making an immediate impact at nose tackle as a rookie. Baumhower would play his entire nine-year career in Miami, playing in 130 games with 129 starts, earning five Pro Bowl nods and five All-Pro selections (2 first-team; 3 second team) as well as he anchored the Fins Killer B’s defense of the 1980s. In 2008, he was inducted into the Miami Dolphins Honor Roll. In The Tank, Bob shared his unlikely path to the University of Alabama and how one conversation with the legendary Bear Bryant changed his life. He also recalled some rookie hazing from Dolphins great Manny Fernandez, enjoying the fun and sun of South Florida with the likes of Mark Duper, Nat Moore, and Hugh Green, partnering with Joe Namath in his first experience in the restaurant business that would lead to a life-long post-football career, and a trip to Lion Country Safari that resulted in an unexpected house pet.
Standing 6 ft. 5 in. and weighing more than 230 pounds, Brandon Marshall looks more defensive end than wide receiver, which is exactly why he was nicknamed “The Beast” during his prolific 13-year NFL career. Another reason for this moniker is his monstrous stat line, which includes 970 receptions for 12,351 yards and 83 touchdowns. While Marshall began his career with the Denver Broncos, the Miami Dolphins traded for the wideout in 2010 following three consecutive 100+ reception seasons and two Pro Bowl selections. It was in Miami, however, that Marshall’s off the field and personal challenges drove him to seek help, ultimately leading to a diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). In The Tank, Brandon recalls his difficulties in Miami and candidly shares a conversation with Ricky Williams that led him down the path of recovery. He openly and honestly evaluates his role as a teammate and leader, including an incident with former Dolphins first-round draft choice Vontae Davis. Brandon also discusses his philanthropic work in the mental health space, and two of his latest endeavors in House of Athlete and the I Am Athlete Podcast.
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A native of Reserve, Louisiana, A.J. Duhe followed a legendary high school career by becoming one of the top players in the Southeastern Conference at LSU. In 1977, the Miami Dolphins selected Duhe with the 13 th overall pick in the first round of the NFL Draft and he did not disappoint, tallying 83 tackles and seven sacks to be named the 1977 Associated Press NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Duhe would play his entire eight-year professional career with the Dolphins as both a defensive end and linebacker, earning Pro Bowl honors in his final season of 1984. He is best remembered, however, for his performance in the 1982 AFC Championship game in the Orange Bowl against the New York Jets. In that game, Duhe snagged three interceptions, returning one 35 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter to seal Miami’s 14-0 victory and a trip to Super Bowl XVII. In The Tank, A.J. shares his passion for food that may also come with a bit of individuality, recalls how tough Don Shula was, but also how much he respects the legendary Dolphins Head Coach, explains where he fit in among the Killer B’s Defense, and offers some marriage advice that only a man married 40 years can provide.
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