A statement will be made in the sky when the Miami Dolphins host the New England Patriots on Sunday in Week 2 of the NFL season.
After a GoFundMe was launched to fly a “FIRE GRIER FIRE MCDANIEL” banner over Hard Rock Stadium for Miami’s home opener, the operation now appears to be a go.
A $900 GoFundMe has been created to fly a "FIRE GRIER FIRE MCDANIEL" banner over Hard Rock Stadium for Sunday's home opener against the Pats.
In addition, any funds raised above the cost of the banner plane will be donated to Concussion/CTE Research 💀 pic.twitter.com/yQje2RQSCy
— Dolphin Nation (@Dolphin_Nation) September 9, 2025
The organizer confirmed the plan to Dolphin Nation.
“[The plane] will fly this Sunday from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm,” the organizer told Dolphin Nation. “FAA regulations require that it leave the airspace over Hard Rock one hour before kickoff, so it will be flying over during peak tailgating hours.”
The plan comes with the Dolphins off to an 0-1 start this season.
“It started as a joke in my fantasy league chat, and kind of accidentally turned into a CTE Research fundraiser,” the organizer said.
The whole operation was crowdfunded, according to the organizer.
“This was crowdfunded,” the organizer said. “I just wrote a blurb and made a phone call. Dolphins fans on social media made this happen.”
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier are facing calls for their jobs amid a frustrating time for the franchise.
After Miami finished 8-9 last season and missed the playoffs, a tumultuous offseason ensued in which the team didn’t clearly improve. There was still some optimism among fans about the team’s chances going into the 2025 season, but any positive vibes took a significant hit when the Dolphins were embarrassed by the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1.
A report earlier this week indicated that some sources think the next six to seven games could decide the fates of McDaniel and Grier.
The plane flying over Hard Rock Stadium will certainly apply more pressure, but key Dolphins figures must already know that they need to start winning games in order to avoid significant changes. A victory over the Patriots in Week 2 would certainly be a step in the right direction.
Miami hasn’t won a playoff game with McDaniel as its head coach or Grier as its general manager. In fact, the last time the Dolphins won a playoff game was all the way back in 2000, the same year that Grier first joined the franchise in a different role.
Fans can keep an eye out for the plane and its banner on Sunday, which is sure to get the attention of folks on social media. But with any luck, the biggest storyline of Week 2 for the Dolphins will be a victory over New England to get to 1-1 this season.
