Tim Foley was a 6' defensive back for the Purdue Boilermakers. He was selected as an All-American in 1969, his Senior year. Miami chose his in the third round of the 1970 NFL Entry Draft with the 55th overall pick, and wore the number 25 jersey through his NFL career.
As a rookie, Foley appeared in each of Miami's 14 games. He totalled 12 tackles combined between special teams and as a change of pace in the Dolphin's defensive secondary. Miami posted a 10-4 record, the first time the then five year old franchise had broken the .500 mark, and also made their first postseason appearance. The defense allowed an AFC low 11.6 yards per catch on the season.
In 1971, Foley took over as Miami's starting left cornerback, a position he would man exclusively for the next five seasons. He started every game, making around 50 tackles, knocking down eight passes and intercepting four. He made one interception in three consecutive games through the middle of the season. Miami finished the season with a 10-3-1 record, winning the AFC East title, then defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, 27-24 in two overtimes in the divisional round. In the AFC Championship game, they shut out the Baltimore Colts, 21-0 on their way to their first Super Bowl appearance, losing the the Dallas Cowboys, 24-3 in SBVI.
1972 would see Foley start 13 of the 14 games in which he appeared for the Dolphins, as the team finished the season without a blemish, at 14-0. Foley made around 50 tackles and approximately 14 passes defensed, intercepting three. The Dolphins won each of their three postseason matchups, including SBVII, to finish with a perfect 17-0 record.
In 1973, Foley was limited to 11 games overall, 10 starts, due to injury. The highlight of his season came in a week nine 44-0 blanking of the Baltimore Colts, as he blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. It was one of two touchdowns on blocked punt returns he would score on the day, and the only two times he would score touchdowns through his career. Miami finished at 12-2, breezing through the playoffs with a combined scored of 85-33, including a 24-7 victory in SBVIII over the Minnesota Vikings.
Foley started 10 of his 13 games in 1975, making around 50 tackles, recovering two fumbles and picking off Washington Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen twice in a week five 20-17 loss. Miami posted an 11-3 record on the year, but were eliminated from the playoffs by the Oakland Raiders, 28-26, drowned by a "Sea of Hands."
In 1975, Foley started nine of the 14 games in which he played. He made around 37 tackles as Miami posted a 10-4 record, not quite enough to get Miami into the second season. The defense was still pretty good, allowing an AFC second best 222 points on the season.
1976 would be a recovery year for Foley, as he missed all but two games with an injury as the Dolphins finished 6-8, the first losing record of Don Shula's tenure.
Foley was moved to strong safety beginning in 1977, a position he would remain at through the remainder of his NFL career. He started 10 of 14 games, making around 70 tackles, intercepting three passes, knocking down six passes and recovering a fumble. He also blocked a field goal in a week eight 14-10 victory over the New York Jets. Miami missed the playoffs with a 10-4 record. Foley was named to the UPI All-AFC second team.
In 1978, Foley started all 16 games for the Dolphins, intercepting a career high six passes. He made around 80 tackles as the Dolphins returned to the playoffs with an 11-5 record, good enough for a wildcard slot.
1979 would see Foley make the Pro Bowl roster for the only time in his career. He collected approximately 100 tackles along with two interceptions, knocking down 12 passes. He had a 10 tackle performance along with two fumble recoveries in a week 14 victory over the New England Patriots, 39-24. The Dolphins posted a 10-6 record, winning the AFC East title.
Foley appeared in seven games during the 1980 season, starting four. He patrolled Miami's defensive secondary for a total of 11 seasons, starting 101 of 134 games. Over his career, he made 22 interceptions along with around 510 tackles.