The excitement of a record-setting Super Bowl LVIII and the 2023 NFL season already is in the rear-view mirror.
However, if you want to start the off-season with some enjoyable football reading, three-time Super Bowl participant & Dolphins Walk of Fame honoree Ed Newman has provided the perfect treat.
Newman, who served a quarter-century after football as a County Court Judge in South Florida, retired from the judicial bench in 2022. Now, he and his daughter Holly have written a book about Ed’s football-legal journey entitled “Warrior Judge.”
The 245-page book is an easy read. It starts with Ed’s early days growing up on Long Island (NY) with a father who hoped his son ultimately would become a partner in the family’s local radiator business.
Newman attended and played for Duke University. He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Dolphins in 1973 and spent 13 seasons (1973-85) in Miami. He earned a Super Bowl VIII ring as a rookie and later four Pro Bowl appearances as an outstanding offensive lineman. However, his football career was not all Super Bowl appearances and Pro Bowl trips to Hawaii. He survived cancer surgery in his 20s and two knee surgeries during the height of his career. A third knee surgery ultimately led to his retirement after the ’85 season.
“Warrior Judge” is full of stories about Coach Don Shula (his only NFL coach) and anecdotes regarding Newman’s teammates including Garo Yepremian, Larry (Chicken) Little, Manny Fernandez, Bob Kuechenberg and dozens of other characters.
While he was still an active player, Newman was accepted into night classes at the University of Miami Law School. When he received the admission notice from the school, he quickly realized he had to let Shula know. The Hall of Fame coach took the news in the same upbeat, positive, casual fashion most NFL coaches would. “I give you my blessing,” Newman quotes Shula as saying, “BUT know this: if you fall short in any way, if you falter or let the team down, then I will ask you to leave law school immediately.” Newman quickly agreed and never let school affect his play.
After his Dolphins retirement, Newman completed his law school education and went into private practice in Miami. In 1994, he took the opportunity to use his law degree in a different manner and campaigned to become a county court judge. His Dolphins’ popularity helped propel him to an easy victory and his 25-year career on the legal bench began. Several years later, Newman arranged to have his former teammate—running back Tony Nathan—join him as the bailiff in his courtroom.
Ed Newman always has represented his family and himself in a professional manner. We at NFL Alumni are proud to have him as our brother. We are certain you will enjoy “Warrior Judge” whether you played with or against Ed Newman and his legendary Dolphins teammates or just heard about those winning years in Miami.
