I grew up in South Florida during the early 1980s, and the only pro team a local kid could follow at that time was the Miami Dolphins.

The usual Sunday in my household involved a trip to church in the morning, followed by breakfast and rushing home to watch Dolphins games. I vaguely remember the rise of Dan Marino during the 1984 season, and locking myself in my bedroom at some point during Super Bowl XIX, sulking because the Dolphins were getting their asses kicked. Looking back, that was a big mistake since I never saw Marino play in a Super Bowl again.

During the 1986 season my uncle talked about getting tickets to the Buffalo Bills game that year. I was under the impression that he would be taking me to the game, but I misunderstood. He said I was too young and he was going with a friend. Talk about being heartbroken. I never got the chance to see Miami play at the Orange Bowl.

The Dolphins moved in August 1987 to Joe Robbie Stadium, located about three miles from our home. My Mom learned the team was hosting an open house for the public to check out the facility and watch a training camp scrimmage. When we arrived, Mom bought me a stuffed teal dolphin with an orange fin and a drink in a souvenir cup.

We headed to section 129, just next to the tunnel where the team comes out, about 10 rows up. To me, the stadium seemed massive. The playing surface didn't have the usual artwork, but the grass seemed greener than any field I'd ever seen. I remember watching the Dolphins run onto the field and practice plays. I pointed out Nos. 13, 83 and 85 to Mom at every opportunity.

We didn't stay for the entire scrimmage because the afternoon thunderstorms rolled through the area on cue. As soon as we got to the car, the sky opened up. It was a great day for me, though, to finally see my favorite team in person. I eventually got the chance to see a regular season game at Joe Robbie Stadium.

When the number of teams down here grew, my interest in sports expanded as well. I'll always remember my first Marlins game and Panthers game. But I keep coming back to that day in August 1987 as the one that cemented my interest in sports.

SUNRISE, Fla. -- If there ever was a perfect example of a captain going down with a sinking ship, Mats Sundin is it.

But one thing is for sure, this leader isn't going to let the Toronto Maple Leafs finish the season at the bottom of the standings without trying to bail them out.

One day after announcing he would not waive his no-trade clause in order to remain with Toronto, Sundin went out and scored the first -- and eventual game-winner -- in a 5-0 drubbing of the Senators, in Ottawa. Tonight, one day after GM Cliff Fletcher could have plundered some other NHL team looking for a clutch veteran, Sundin produced again, scoring two game-tying goals in a 4-3 shootout win over Florida.

Now, with two victories in as many games, the Maple Leafs are believing the postseason is still within reach, even if it seems like an impossible task in a closely contested race. And it is Sundin's play that has them believing.

"He's a great leader and he showed it," Tomas Kaberle said. "He said he wants to stay and for a reason. He's the man here, he's always been, and everyone has followed him to play like him."

Despite all the talk in recent days about the Swede and his selfishness for staying in Toronto, now is the time to rescind those comments. Because even if the Maple Leafs don't make the playoffs, one awful season cannot trump the time, effort and dedication such a franchise player has given a team and a city.

For anyone who reads this blog, it is no surprise that I'm a Miami Dolphins fan (all of my teams are displayed above). I grew up in South Florida during the Dan Marino era, and anyone who lived here in those days is well aware of the quarterback's stature in this town. The whole Sundin situation got me thinking about Marino's last years in Miami, and I couldn't help but notice the similarities.

About five years before Marino retired, fans knew the quarterback's best years were behind him. There were endless comments about how the Dolphins needed to draft a quarterback, have Marino mentor him, then have the Hall of Famer retire. Only it didn't quite work that way. Marino still craved the ring, and when he had an opportunity to compete for one with the Minnesota Vikings, fans were aghast. Not because they didn't want the fan favorite to earn a ring, but because it meant he wouldn't end his career as a Dolphin.

Sundin's situation is slightly different in that he was drafted by Quebec and suited up for the Nordiques for four seasons before being traded to Toronto. For all intents and purposes, though, Sundin is a Maple Leaf. He's been with the franchise for 14 years and its captain for 10. He holds numerous Maple Leafs records. He is the face of the franchise.

It may be accurate to say Toronto would have been better off stockpiling draft picks and prospects, some of which may never pan out. Keeping a player who has seen your organization through the good and the bad is something rarely seen in sports nowadays, and should be respected, if not treasured.

Because like a Stanley Cup championship, Leafs fans, you never know when you may see one again.