Miami Hurricanes legend and former NFL quarterback George Mira Sr. has died, the school announced. He was 83.
“The University of Miami football program mourns the passing of legendary quarterback George Mira, Sr., who played for the Canes from 1961-63,” UM wrote in a post to X on Tuesday. “’The Matador’ was a two-time All-American who led the nation in total offense in 1963. He is a member of the Ring of Honor and is one of five UM players to have his jersey retired. We pass along our sincerest condolences to the Mira family.”
Mira was “perhaps the Canes’ greatest player ever,” according to his UM Sports Hall of Fame biography. He played three seasons for Miami, earning the nickname “The Matador” due to his elusiveness in the pocket and scrambling ability.
Mira led the Hurricanes to the 1961 Liberty Bowl – the program’s first bowl game in 19 years – resulting in a 15-14 loss to Syracuse. The following season, Mira and the Canes suffered another narrow defeat to Nebraska, 36-34, in the 1962 Gotham Bowl in New York City.
In 1963, Mira became the first UM player to be featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated’s college football preview issue, according to the Miami Herald’s Greg Cote.
Mira’s No. 10 jersey was retired by UM when his collegiate career ended in 1963. He was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame in 1973. He is also considered the “founder of Quarterback U,” according to his bio, being the Canes’ first star QB ahead of Jim Kelly, Vinny Testaverde, Bernie Kosar, Gino Torretta, Steve Walsh, Ken Dorsey, Cam Ward, and more.
After Miami, Mira was drafted by the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers and the AFL’s Denver Broncos, but signed with the 49ers. He played seven seasons in the NFL from 1964-71, including five with San Francisco, one with the Philadelphia Eagles and one with the Miami Dolphins.