Ex-Dolphins Player Rob Konrad -- 'Circled By Shark' ... During 9 Mile Swim

Former Miami Dolphins player Rob Konrad says he was bitten by several jellyfish and circled by a shark during his incredible 9-mile swim to shore after he fell off a fishing boat last week.

38-year-old Konrad and his family just spoke with the media in Miami ... and while fighting back tears, he explained how he found the mental and physical strength to make the 16 hour swim.

"I have 2 beautiful daughters. I was hitting that shore," Konrad says.

Konrad says he saw boats in the water -- but the boats didn't see him -- so, "I had to get my mind right."

As for the shark, Konrad says it circled him in the water, but never attacked. Konrad said it was nothing short of a miracle.

When he finally got near the beach, Konrad says he could hear the waves crashing on the shore -- "It was a beautiful sound."