Miami Dolphins Waive Jones
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MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced the team has waived defensive end Jason Jones.
Jones played in 14 games with five starts this season, his lone season in Miami. He recorded 36 tackles (22 solo), 3.5 sacks, two passes defensed and one fumble recovery. A nine-year NFL veteran, Jones signed with the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent on May 16, 2016 from Detroit, where he played from 2013-15. Jones also spent one season in Seattle (2012) and played four years with Tennessee (2008-11). In his career, Jones has totaled 109 games played, 70 starts, 211 tackles (155 solo) and 31.5 sacks.
Miami Dolphins Announce Team Award Winners
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MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced its team award winners for the 2016 season. Running back Jay Ajayi was named the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player, defensive end Cameron Wake earned the Don Shula Leadership Award and also was named the team’s Ed Block Courage Award winner and wide receiver Kenny Stills earned the Nat Moore Community Service Award.
Ajayi is a first-time winner of the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player award after he totaled 1,272 rushing yards, the third-most in a single season in Dolphins history. Ricky Williams is the only Dolphins player to ever rush for more yards in a season, when he totaled 1,853 in 2002 and 1,372 in 2003. Ajayi rushed for 200-plus yards three different times in 2016, posting three of the team’s top six single-game rushing totals in this season alone. He is one of just four NFL players to rush for 200 yards in at least three games in a season, joining Earl Campbell (1980, four times), O.J. Simpson (1973, three times) and Tiki Barber (2005, three times). He posted back-to-back 200-yard rushing games vs. Pittsburgh (Oct. 16) and Buffalo (Oct. 23) and is just the fourth NFL player to do that, joining O.J. Simpson (1973 and 1976), Earl Campbell (1980) and Williams (2002). Ajayi is just the third running back to win the award since 1982, joining Williams (2002, 2009) and Keith Byars (1993). This award is voted on by South Florida media and the organization and was re-named the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award in 2000 to reflect the achievements of Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino.
Wake earned the Don Shula Leadership Award for the third time in his career. He also earned the honor in 2013 and 2014. Wake is just the third player in Dolphins history to win the award at least three times, joining linebacker Zach Thomas (1998-99, 2005) and defensive end Jason Taylor (2002, 2006-07, 2009). Wake also was named the recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award and is just the second Dolphins defensive end to win the award (David Bowens, 2004). He joins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino (1995) as the only Dolphins to ever win the Don Shula Leadership Award and Ed Block Courage Award in the same season. The Don Shula Leadership Award is voted on by the players and is given to the player who exhibits leadership on and off the field. It was re-named the Don Shula Leadership Award in 2005 to reflect the accomplishments of Hall of Fame Head Coach Don Shula. Each year, players from all 32 teams select a teammate to receive the Ed Block Courage Award. The recipient symbolizes professionalism, great strength and dedication. The honoree also is a community role model.
Wake suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in the seventh game of the 2015 season, one that required a long and grueling rehabilitation process to return to the field. At the age of 34, Wake not only returned to the field in time for the first regular season game but put together one of the most dominant seasons of his illustrious career. The eighth-year pro finished third in the AFC and tied for sixth in the NFL with 11.5 sacks, the third double-digit sack season of his career. Wake was inserted into the starting lineup in Week 6 and recorded 10.5 sacks from that point through the end of the regular season, the second-most in the NFL over that time span, and helped the Dolphins finish the season 9-2 and earn their first playoff spot since 2008. He is one of just three NFL players in the past decade to have 10-plus sacks at age 34 or older, joining Julius Peppers (2015) and John Abraham (2012-13). Wake is tied for second in the AFC and tied for third in the NFL with five forced fumbles this season. Miami won every game in which he recorded at least a half-sack and he is expected to play in the first playoff game of his career on Sunday, Jan. 8 at Pittsburgh.
Stills is the second wide receiver to win with Nat Moore Community Service Award (Wes Welker, 2005). Stills, along with teammates Arian Foster, Jelani Jenkins and Michael Thomas, hosted a town hall meeting with community leaders, law enforcement and coaches, funded a community tailgate with tickets and refreshments for each home game and took part in a ride-a-long with the Broward Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with RISE, The Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality. Founded in 2015 by Stephen Ross, RISE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the unifying power of sports to improve race relations and drive social progress. Stills also was the team’s most active player in community Tuesdays. This year alone Stills visited three schools, two hospitals, participated in a back-to-school backpack distribution, handed out toys for the holidays and assisted in Make-A-Wish visits to the team. The Nat Moore Community Service Award is given each year to a Miami Dolphins player recognized for his involvement in the South Florida community. The winner of this award is chosen by the Miami Dolphins Foundation and named after Moore to highlight the commitment the former wide receiver had in the South Florida community. Moore spent 13 seasons in a Dolphins uniform, culminating by his placement on the Dolphins Honor Roll in 1999.
Miami Dolphins Announce End of the Year Youth Programs Awards With Partner Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)
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January 1, 2017
***Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins***
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Miami Dolphins Announce End of the Year Youth Programs Awards With Partner Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)
Miami – The Miami Dolphins and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) today recognize the winners of the end of the year youth programs awards, including the high school coach of the year, Dade County, Broward County, Palm Beach County and Southwest Florida coaches of the year as well as the high school player of the year and team mom of the year. The award recipients have demonstrated their commitment to being leaders both on and off the field this season.
Aubrey Hill of Miami Carol City Senior High School has been named High School Coach of the Year & Dade County High School Coach of the Year for his commitment to being a leader on and off the field. Hill recently led his alma mater to an 11-3 record and a Class 6A State Championship title after a 14-6 decision over Lake Gibson (Lakeland). In addition to leading the Chief’s success on the field, Hill strives to support his team members in all phases of their lives, focusing on the physical, mental, social and spiritual well-being of his athletes.
Hill is now a nominee for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award, will be announced during the third quarter of the 2017 Pro Bowl, airing Sunday, Jan. 29 at 8 PM ET on ESPN, and will receive an additional $10,000 from the NFL Foundation, $5,000 of which will go to his high school’s football program. The winner will be recognized at a press conference on Friday, Feb. 3 during Super Bowl week in Houston and walk the red carpet at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special airing nationally on FOX on Feb. 4, the night before Super Bowl LI.
The Miami Dolphins and RISE also announced the High School Coach of the Year for Broward County, Palm Beach County and Southwest Florida:
- Broward High School Coach of the Year: Pat Surtain from American Heritage High School. Coach Surtain – a standout cornerback for the Dolphins from 1998-2004 – led his team to the Class 5A State championship, defeating Ponte Verde 35-33. Surtain also received the Week 14 High School Coach of the Week award.
- Palm Beach High School Coach of the Year: TJ Jackson from Atlantic Community High School. Jackson became Atlantic’s head coach in 2013 and in just 3 years, he was able to build a program that earned an undefeated regular season, Division Championship title, Coach of the Year and Team of the Year recognitions. This season, the Eagles clinched the district runner up title and a spot in the playoffs for the third straight year. This is the second consecutive year that Jackson has been named the Miami Dolphins Coach of the Year for Palm Beach County.
- Southwest Florida High School Coach of the Year: Interim Head Coach Matthew Holderfied from South Fort Myers High School. Holderfield, with 20 years of coaching experience in both Florida and Alabama, has been the defensive coordinator for South Fort Myers for the last 3 years.
He has been on the Wolfpack coaching staff since moving to Florida from Alabama in 2012. In August of 2016, just two days before the start of the 2016 football season, Holderfield was promoted to interim head coach following an unforeseen removal of the Wolfpack’s head coach. Holderfield took over a team in disarray and guided them to a 9-1 regular season record. During the season, the Wolfpack became the first Lee County school since 2010 to defeat Collier County powerhouse Naples High School, defeating the Golden Eagles 42-35 at Naples.
Additionally, a High School Player of the Year and Team Mom of the Year received recognition for their outstanding achievements this season:
- High School Player of the Year: Nayquan Wright is a running back from Miami Carol City Senior High School and a member of the Chiefs’ 2016 Class 2A State Championship team. He received recognition as the Week 5 High School Player of the Week. Only a sophomore, Wright already has scholarship offers from Alabama, Miami (Fla.), Notre Dame, Florida State and Georgia.
- Team Mom of the Year: Marisella Readon from the Boca Braves of the Gold Coast Pop Warner League, who was the Week 10 Team Mom of the Week award recipient. Readon has overcome tremendous adversity as she lost her son in early 2016, who would have been on the Tiny Mite team (7U), yet she still finds the time and energy to support her older son’s team. She is always there when you need her and the first to take the initiative and volunteer her time. Readon never misses a practice or game and is there, not only for her son, but for all the boys on the team. This year, her Jr. Pee Wee team had an influx of new players which meant new moms to the organization. She welcomed everyone with open arms and has made them feel like family. Recently, Readon was appointed to the Braves’ board as scholastic coordinator because of her commitment to the scholastic performance of her players.
Each award recipient will be presented with a plaque on the field during the Jan. 1 Dolphins home game at Hard Rock Stadium against the New England Patriots, and receive acknowledgement of their accomplishment in the game program and through the Dolphins’ and RISE’s social media platforms. They also received four tickets to the Miami Dolphins home game and a Dolphins/RISE T-shirt.
About Miami Dolphins Youth Programs
The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ mission is to emphasize the importance of education, physical fitness and positive choices for kids in a safe and fun environment. The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ vision is to prepare the next generation of leaders in staying physically active through our Junior Training Camps (JTC), Youth Football Clinics and Youth Football Camps. The goal is to promote Youth Football in the South Florida community.
About the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)
Founded in 2015 by Stephen M. Ross, the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the unifying power of sports to advance race relations and drive social progress. Supported by an unprecedented alliance of sports leagues, organizations, educators, media networks, sports professionals and athletes, RISE uses sports as a vehicle to promote understanding, respect and equality. Through public awareness campaigns and educational programming, RISE aims to spark enduring action. To learn more, visit RISEtoWIN.org.
2016 Weekly Winners
|
HS Player of the Week |
HS Coach of the Week |
Youth Player of the Week |
Team Mom of the Week |
| Week 1 |
Jaquan Beaver
Booker T. Washington HS |
Tim “Ice” Harris
Booker T. Washington HS |
Nick Vattiato
Ft. Lauderdale Hurricanes 13U |
Marchelle Greene
Ft. Lauderdale Hurricanes 12U |
| Week 2 |
Renaldo Flowers Jr.
Miami Jackson HS |
Lakatriona Brown
Miami Jackson HS |
Taron “Tyger” Dickens
Miramar Wolverines 12U |
Gina Brooks
Miami Youth Hurricanes Peewees |
| Week 3 |
Hansky Paillant
McArthur HS |
Matt DuBuc
Cardinal Gibbons HS |
Yulkeith Brown Jr.
Liberty City Warriors |
Beth Voss
Kendall Boys & Girls Club |
| Week 4 |
Malcom Vigille
Miami Edison Sr. HS |
Roland Smith
Miami Carol City Sr. HS |
Carson Haggard
Suniland Sundevil 12U team |
Laura Pita
Cooper City Cowboys |
| Week 5 |
Nayquan Wright
Miami Carol City HS |
Roger Pollard
Coral Gables Sr. HS |
Akin Liverpol
Overtown Tornadoes 14U |
Nzinga Glover
Washington Park Buccaneers |
| Week 6 |
Derohn King
Piper Sr. HS |
Max Edwards
Miami Northwestern Sr. HS |
Jarvis Johnson
North Miami Redskins |
Karen Davis
Plantation Wildcats |
| Week 7 |
Kai Henry
Miami Northwestern Sr. HS |
LaRon Culpepper
McArthur HS |
Deiontavius Glinton
Boca Brave Varsity (180s) |
Fonda Ware
Lauderhill Broncos |
| Week 8 |
Anthony Wynds Jr.
Palm Beach Central HS |
Brendan Kent
Oxbridge Academy |
Ryan Mack
Miami Gardens Ravens 10U |
Tererika Green
Miami Junior Rockets 7U |
| Week 9 |
Kevin Oliver
Western HS |
Adam Ratkevich
Western HS |
Zamarion Lawson
Palmetto Bay Junior Bandits (75 lbs.) |
Cassandra Figueroa
Dick Conley (DC) Steelers 7U |
| Week 10 |
Todd Centeio
Dwyer High School |
Orson Walkes
Pahokee High School |
Tenard Summerall
Overtown Tornadoes 14U |
Marisella Readon
Boca Braves |
| Week 11 |
Shaun Shivers
Chaminade-Madonna |
|
Jamari Watson
PPO Bengals 10U |
Joana Duce
East Miramar Dolphins 8U |
| Week 12 |
Yasir Abdullah
Miami Carol City Sr. HS |
Dameon Jones
Chaminade-Madonna |
Matthew O’Dowd
Lauderhill Broncos Varsity |
Shaketta Simmonds
Kendall Kolts 9U |
| Week 14 |
Mike Epstein
St. Thomas Aquinas HS |
Patrick Surtain
American Heritage HS |
Brody Palhegyi
Plantation Wildcats 13U |
Andrea Reid
Boca Braves |
