MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins are thanking a player who spent 11 years in a thankless role.

And come October, they’ll put the spotlight on that player even though he often flew under the radar.

Defensive tackle Tim Bowens will enter the Dolphins’ Ring of Honor at Hard Rock Stadium during the Oct. 27 game against the Arizona Cardinals.

More: Miami Dolphins' Mike McDaniel pleased with how Tua Tagovailoa, big-money players responded

Bowens was drafted in the first round in 1994, 20th overall, out of Ole Miss and spent his entire 11-year career with the Dolphins. He missed only two games his first nine seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 1998 and 2002.

Bowens often played in relative obscurity compared to two eventual Hall of Famers, linebacker Zach Thomas and end Jason Taylor.

Thomas, however, has never missed a chance to describe how vital Bowens was to their success. Even though Thomas had just flown back from Canton for the weekend’s Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony, the Dolphins had him introduce Bowens for a news conference that sprung the surprise on him.

“It was a shock,” Bowens said. “But I knew something was going on when they called me down here to some kind of meeting. I’m like, ‘You guys never called me for a meeting.’ ”

Thomas didn’t spend much time at the podium.

“I'll make this short, but this ain't about me,” he said. “I'm going to introduce to you a guy that was the ultimate teammate, one that was unselfish, made everybody around him better, made J.T. better, Sam (Madison) and Pat (Surtain), myself, and never complained, country strong, never lost ground. Badass boys. Thank you.”

Tom Garfinkel, vice chairman, president and CEO of the Dolphins, described Bowens as a selfless “warrior in the trenches.”

Bowens’ inclusion will end a decade-long gap since Manny Fernandez was enshrined.

Bowens appeared in 157 games, 14th-most in team history, and ranks sixth with 155 career starts. He had a 104-game streak of games played, including 92 straight starts.

“Just good genes, I guess,” Bowens said.

Bowens described his style as quietly going about his business.

“Just do what I need to do,” he said.

What he needed to do after the news conference?

“I can’t wait til call my mom and tell my mom, tell my family, my kids,” he said.

The Ring of Honor, formerly known as the Honor Roll, was launched in 1990 with founder Joe Robbie as the first honoree.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: DT Tim Bowens to enter Miami Dolphins Ring of Honor vs. Cardinals