Long before social media turned hot takes into viral posts, controversial opinions spread through newspaper columns and talk radio.
One of the more memorable examples came in 1993, when Miami Herald columnist Greg Cote made a bold suggestion involving one of the biggest stars in Miami Dolphins history. After Dan Marino suffered a season-ending injury, Cote argued that the Dolphins should trade the future Hall of Famer and move forward with backup quarterback Scott Mitchell.
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Marino suffered a torn Achilles on October 10, 1993, during a game against the Cleveland Browns. The non-contact injury ended his season and forced the Dolphins to turn to Mitchell.
At the time, Mitchell was a 25-year-old quarterback from Utah who quickly made an impression in his early starts. His biggest performance came on Halloween against Joe Montana and the Kansas City Chiefs, when he threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns in Miami’s 30-10 victory.
With Mitchell playing well, Cote made his controversial argument in a Miami Herald newspaper column published on November 1, 1993. His headline was simple: “Trade Dan Marino. Keep Scott Mitchell.” Cote argued that Marino’s age and injury could make him valuable in a trade, while Mitchell could become Miami’s next franchise quarterback.
The take quickly became a major story.
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Freezing Cold Takes’ Fred Segal recalled just how much attention Cote’s column received. “He wrote to trade Dan Marino and keep Scott Mitchell. And articles now, like someone writes an article. I don’t know how big of a stir it makes. But then it was a big deal. I mean everyone made a big deal out of it,” Segal recalled.
Cote was forced to defend the opinion on multiple local and national shows as the debate continued.
The trade idea quickly fell apart. Just two weeks after Cote’s column was published, Mitchell suffered a shoulder injury and missed time.
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The Dolphins had started the season 9-2, including Don Shula’s record 325th win, but struggled without consistent quarterback play. Miami lost its final five games and finished 9-7, missing the playoffs.
No Marino trade ever happened, of course, and the two quarterbacks went in very different directions.
Marino returned in 1994, won Comeback Player of the Year with 4,453 yards and 30 touchdowns, and stayed with Miami until retiring in 1999. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005.
Mitchell signed with the Detroit Lions in 1994 and had a strong 1995 season with 4,338 yards and 32 touchdowns, but never matched that production again and retired in 2001.
For Cote, the Marino-Mitchell debate became one of his most memorable takes and was revisited over the years, including on The Dan Le Batard Show. Marino went on to become a Hall of Famer, while Cote’s prediction became a lasting part of Miami sports history.
