Here’s how South Florida sports sounded in 2025:
“A lot of people, they don’t like the way we play. They call us dirty. They call us nasty. They call us bullies. So, I would like to take this time to apologize to absolutely f—ing no one. We are the double champs. We do what the f— we want. Let’s go!” — Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett at the victory parade in June after a second consecutive Stanley Cup win.
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“I didn’t have enough wipes to clean myself.” — Miami coach Mario Cristobal after being kissed by former Hurricanes star Michael Irvin after the playoff win against Texas A&M.
“He came here to win this trophy.” — Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano on Lionel Messi after their December title win.
“I want to see me get my joy back.” — Jimmy Butler in January opening the door to his eventual trade from the Miami Heat.
“We’re another day closer to death.” — Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel in training camp explaining why it was a good day.
“Man, that guy’s good-looking.” — Panthers forward Brad Marchand on what his younger self would think of him at 37.
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“We have guys showing up to player-only meetings late, guys not showing up to player-only meetings.” — Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers in October.
“I’ve made a mistake, and I’m owning up to that right now.” — Tua in response a few days later to the furor over his previous quote.
“I thought they were teasing because it’s my first All-Star Game,’’ — Miami Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers when told if the game went into extra innings he would be in the deciding home-run derby. His home run helped the National League win.
“The first one was a dream come true. It was euphoric. This one was an achievement. It was hard. It was hard all year. It was hard at camp. It never got easy.” — Panthers coach Paul Maurice on winning the second straight Cup last spring.
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“If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault. You’ve got to remember you’re the same team that’s got to play me for the rest of my career, and I’ll remember that.” — former Hurricanes quarterback Cam Ward of NFL teams that would pass on drafting him.
“Some of it has being able to see guys. With their guys also up front, and our guys, I’m not the tallest guy in the back there either … sometimes you don’t want to throw blindly.” — Tua on not being able to see over the line to throw to receiver Jaylen Waddle.
“As you can see, I have my kids up here right now, so things in the house, those things can be replaced. And if they can’t be replaced, what does it really matter? This is really what matters, family and closest ones.” — Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra after his house was destroyed by fire in November.
“I live and breathe for the Florida Panthers. I bleed for the Florida Panthers. I’ve given my body and everything to this team. I want to keep doing it forever — for as long as they let me come to the rink.” — Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad last spring on wanting to re-sign with the team.
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“Yeah, I think we can.” — Panthers general manager Bill Zito after winning the Cup on the possibility of re-signing free agents Ekblad, Marchand and Bennett, which was then accomplished.
“Listen, Mike (McDaniel) and I want to win probably more than you guys (media) in here, just to get you guys off our backs.” — then-Dolphins general manager Chris Grier in April. He was fired in October.
“The message we wanted to send is, ‘It’s our time right now.’ ” — Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk on why he and brother Brady each fought within the opening three seconds of the United States team’s 3-1 win against Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.
“Eighty is the new 60.” — Heat president Pat Riley, saying he’d keep working despite what anyone thinks about his age.
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“I think as I look back at Alabama and then as I was getting ready to come to the NFL, one of the biggest changes and differences that I’ve felt would have been some of the surgeries that I’ve had. I can kind of feel some of the residuals within my ankles. I was running a little different when I was at Alabama.” — Tua on differences between him in college and now.
“Call the fire department. Put your hair out. Let’s move on, please.” — Maurice on the continued furor of Bennett knocking Toronto goalie Anthony Stolarz out of their playoff series last spring.
“They do the work. We just drink coffee and swear.” — Maurice on why coaches shouldn’t be in the traditional handshake line after playoff series ends.
“There’s no hiding it — that’s the big man.” — Maurice in September on losing center Aleksander Barkov to a knee injury perhaps for the whole season.
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“Let us never ever devalue the importance of head-to-head competition.” — Cristobal on why Miami should be in the College Football Playoff over Notre Dame.
“I haven’t played anywhere near the standard that I’ve played in years past.” — Tua in September.
“I think Quinn (Ewers) gives this team the best chance to win.” — McDaniel on why he benched Tua for the seventh-round rookie quarterback.
“That is always a dream. This is my life partner.” — WNBA star A’ja Wilson on a future with Heat center Bam Adebayo.
“Goose-bumps.” — Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist on watching the Stanley Cup banner rise on opening night.