For decades, the number 68 in Miami Dolphins history was simply a number on a jersey—passed around, forgotten by some, respected by few. It was worn by hard-nosed linemen whose names rarely graced highlight reels or Pro Bowl ballots. That is, until Robert Hunt showed up.
With a grin as wide as his wingspan and a work ethic born in the trenches of Burkeville, Texas, Hunt didn’t just play offensive line—he embodied it. Every snap, every pull block, every broken sweat was a chapter in a new story he was writing for that number. And now, as he exits stage left via free agency, the Dolphins fanbase is left asking a question few ever thought they’d care about:
Did Robert Hunt do enough in his time to become the greatest No. 68 in franchise history? Or does that title still belong to one of the forgotten warriors who paved the way long before him?
The answer is as powerful—and emotional—as the men who wore it.
A NUMBER FORGED IN THE TRENCHES
To appreciate what Hunt did with No. 68, we first need to rewind the film—decades back—to when Miami’s offensive line was the engine room of one of the NFL’s proudest franchises.
The number was never about flash. It wasn’t Dan Marino’s No. 13 or Larry Csonka’s No. 39. It didn’t throw touchdowns, run for 100-yard games, or grace ESPN’s Top 10. But without the men who wore it, those stats never happen.
Three men. Three eras. Three very different legacies. And one massive question:
Who wore No. 68 best for the Miami Dolphins?
1. ED NEWMAN: THE IRON GUARD OF A DYNASTY
Before Robert Hunt was even born, Ed Newman was wearing No. 68 with pride and punishment.
Drafted in 1973 out of Duke, Newman was a fourth-rounder who quickly became a cornerstone for one of Don Shula’s most trusted offensive lines. He played 12 seasons—all with the Dolphins—and helped protect quarterbacks like Bob Griese and David Woodley. But what set Newman apart wasn’t just his durability or grit. It was consistency at greatness.
He started 113 games for Miami and was a Pro Bowler four straight times from 1981–1984. He blocked in Super Bowls. He faced down legends. He was the offensive lineman every coach dreams of and every defense dreads.
LEGACY: Ed Newman wasn’t just a great No. 68—he was a Miami Dolphin through and through. By the time he retired, No. 68 had meaning. He gave it relevance. He gave it pride.
2. RICHMOND WEBB (HONORABLE MENTION)
While technically more associated with No. 78, Webb did briefly wear 68 before solidifying his own legacy elsewhere on the line. Though short-lived in that number, he deserves a nod in the conversation as one of the most physically dominant linemen the team ever had.
Still, for the purpose of this story, the crown is between Newman and Hunt.
3. ROBERT HUNT: THE PANCAKE KING AND PEOPLE’S CHAMPION
When Miami drafted Robert Hunt out of Louisiana-Lafayette in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft, most fans didn’t bat an eye. Just another big body to plug in on a struggling line. Just another jersey number to hand out.
But from the moment he stepped on the field, Hunt made his presence known—not with words, but with his pads. From his rookie season through 2023, he brought energy, leadership, and heart to a Dolphins line that desperately needed it.
Whether he lined up at guard or kicked outside to tackle, Hunt was dependable. No, more than dependable—he was dominant. Over four seasons, he started 55 games and became the beating heart of Miami’s offensive front.
His highlight? A moment so surreal it made lineman highlights cool again.
The “Big Man Touchdown That Never Was.”
Against the Ravens in 2021, Hunt snagged a tipped screen pass, rumbled through multiple defenders, flipped over the goal line, and nearly scored a touchdown that had fans and analysts worldwide in awe. The play was called back, but it didn’t matter. It became a viral moment of pure effort and joy—a symbol of what he brought to the game.
That was Robert Hunt. Blue collar. Big smile. Bigger heart.
He wasn’t just blocking people. He was lifting spirits.
The 2023 SEASON: A SWAN SONG IN SILENCE?
By the time the 2023 season wrapped, Robert Hunt had solidified his role as Miami’s top interior lineman. He brought balance to a run game that leaned heavily on his ability to pull and open gaps for Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane. When Tua Tagovailoa dropped back, it was often Hunt who gave him the cleanest pockets.
But Hunt’s final season in Miami was also marred by injuries. He played just 11 games, including a painful stretch with hamstring and knee issues. He was still elite—but fans knew the writing was on the wall.
And then the news broke in March 2024: Robert Hunt signed with the Carolina Panthers on a lucrative five-year deal.
Just like that, the Dolphins’ No. 68 was gone. And the legacy debate exploded.
STAT BREAKDOWN: HUNT VS. NEWMAN
Stat Ed Newman Robert Hunt
Games Played 167 61
Games Started 113 55
Pro Bowls 4 0
Super Bowl Appearances 3 0
Fan Engagement Moderate Viral, high
Newman’s accolades are undeniable. Hunt’s cultural impact is unforgettable.
So the question becomes:
What makes a legacy—the stats or the soul?
The Fans Weigh In
Scroll through Dolphins Twitter, Reddit, or fan pages, and you’ll find the debate in full blaze. Some old-school fans swear by Newman. Others, especially Gen Z fans, will die on the Hill of Hunt.
“He made us care about the offensive line again,” wrote one user on Reddit. “That screen pass alone was more iconic than most OL careers.”
Another replied: “Newman is a legend. Hunt was fun. There’s a difference.”
The Symbolism of No. 68
Robert Hunt didn’t just wear a number. He resurrected it.
He made it matter again. Kids bought No. 68 jerseys. Dolphins social media highlighted him weekly. Players and coaches pointed to him as a tone-setter.
And when he walked out the door, Dolphins Nation didn’t just lose a player.
They lost a symbol of everything they wanted their team to be—gritty, selfless, and driven.
So, Who Wore It Best?
If legacy is about longevity and impact, then Ed Newman still holds the crown.
But if legacy is about making a number mean something again, then Robert Hunt may have done the impossible.
He made the offensive line cool. He made 68 a symbol of effort, emotion, and identity. In an age of fantasy points and wide receiver dances, he reminded us why the trenches matter.
The Final Drive
When Robert Hunt left Miami, he didn’t just walk away with a contract. He left behind a fire.
No. 68 isn’t just a number anymore. It’s a badge. A memory. A standard.
And while Ed Newman may still hold the historical throne, Robert Hunt has ensured that no one will ever wear 68 in Miami again without being compared to him.
That is legacy.
