Miami Dolphins and Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Announce End of Year Youth Awards
Download PDF version
December 12, 2017
***Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins***
Photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/djlimt7pzro3071/AADX-qALlCEnPro-mcGdKu91a?dl=0
Miami Dolphins and Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Announce End of Year Youth Awards
Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) today announced the winners of the end of the year youth programs awards, including the high school coach of the year, high school player of the year and team mom of the year. The award recipients demonstrated their commitment to being leaders both on and off the field this season.
Each award recipient was presented with a plaque on the field during the Dec. 11 Dolphins home game at Hard Rock Stadium against the New England Patriots, and received acknowledgement of their accomplishment through the Dolphins’ and RISE’s social media platforms. They also received tickets to a Miami Dolphins home game, access to the Dolphins/RISE pregame tailgate and a Dolphins/RISE T-shirt.
- High School Coach of the Year: Pat Surtain from American Heritage High School. The Patriots (13-0) have now won 27 consecutive games after defeating Baker County 44-15 in the 5A state championship final in Orlando. This is the second-straight state championship for Surtain, a former Dolphins player, and the Patriots and the school’s fourth in five years. Surtain is now a nominee for the Don Shula NFL High School Coach of the Year Award, which honors high school football coaches that demonstrate the integrity, achievement, and leadership exemplified by the winningest coach in NFL history, Don Shula. As a nominee, Suratin will be invited to Orlando for the USA Football National Conference and Pro Bowl during Pro Bowl week, January, 2018. Two finalists for the Shula Coach of the Year Award will be invited to attend the 2018 Pro Bowl in Orlando, and included in the week’s festivities leading up to the game, where the winner will be announced. Each finalist also will be invited to attend Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis, MN the following week, where the winner will take part in the traditional Don Shula events and the runner up will be able to experience the Super Bowl first hand. The Don Shula Award winner receives $10,000 and his High School football program is awarded $15,000. The second finalist will receive $5,000 and his High School football program will receive $10,000. “It is a great honor to be mentioned in the same breath as all the great high school coaches that have come before me,” Surtain said. “A lot of hard work goes into coaching. This award is not an individual award. My coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for helping me get here. I am truly humbled and honored to receive this award”.
- High School Player of the Year: Chatarius (Tutu) Atwell Jr. from Miami Northwestern High School. Atwell lead the Bulls (12-2) to a 21-16 win over Seffner Armwood in the 6A state championship final in Orlando. The senior quarterback accounted for 259 yards and two touchdowns in the victory. It was the Bulls’ first state championship victory in over a decade. Atwell is committed to play at the University of Louisville in the fall.
- Team Mom of the Year: Natacha Horta from the Miami Gardens Vikings 13U of the Florida Youth Football League. She is a single mother of five and is one of the best team moms in the Miami Gardens Vikings park. Horta goes above and beyond for her 13U team. She has been known to sacrifice the money she has to pay bills to make sure that every player on her team has whatever they need for game days. Horta is the most selfless person in the park and without a doubt she is the Miami Gardens Vikings most valuable team mom.
About Miami Dolphins Youth Programs
The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ mission is to transform the lives of youth football players by instilling character building and reinforcing safety standards that help to increase football participation and grow a new generation of Dolphins fans.
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 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the unifying power of sports to improve race relations and drive social progress. Supported by an unprecedented alliance of sports leagues, organizations, athletes, educators, media networks and sports professionals, 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.
The V Foundation Teams up with the Miami Dolphins, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and ESPN for Victory Over Cancer
Download PDF version
December 11, 2017
The V Foundation Teams up with the Miami Dolphins, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and ESPN for Victory Over Cancer
Dolphins to Collaborate with the V Foundation to Raise Funds for Cancer Research
CARY, NC – The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano, is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Miami Dolphins, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami and ESPN to support important cancer research.
“Much of our support at the V Foundation is for athletes, teams, leagues and fans,” said Susan Braun, CEO of the V Foundation. “This program with the Dolphins and the NFL helps the V Foundation expand our reach, funding life-saving research. Each day, we follow Jim Valvano’s legendary words, ‘don’t give up . . . don’t ever give up!’”
The Dolphins are proud to host the Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC), with a mission to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at South Florida’s only academic-based cancer center – Sylvester. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $22.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to research. The DCC continues to solidify its position as the largest event fundraiser in the NFL.
Through the new partnership, the DCC will contribute $100,000 to the V Foundation during the month of December. The funds will be matched by the V Foundation for an Early Career Investigator grant to be awarded at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. The partnership will bring V Foundation resources to the South Florida-area to fund an emerging researcher in the Dolphins’ community.
“We’re proud of the work we have done in the South Florida community to raise critical funds for cancer research,” Dolphins Cancer Challenge Executive Director Jennifer Jehn said. “The DCC is committed to funding researchers and specialists to discover, develop and deliver more targeted therapies leading to the best patient outcomes. This grant will fund an early career researcher at Sylvester who is committed just as we are at the Dolphins to tackling cancer.”
To highlight the collaboration, ESPN’s Monday Night Countdown on Dec. 11 will feature video from a recent Dolphins practice, where a cancer patient, a survivor and their doctor from Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center met with Dolphins players and ESPN commentators, Sean McDonough and Lisa Salters.
“Sylvester and the Miami Dolphins have had a deepening partnership for years, to raise much-needed cancer research dollars that directly benefit our community,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester. “We are extremely grateful for the involvement of the V Foundation, and its support in helping recognize and enhance the work of one of our most promising young investigators. This support advances our field in ways that help us serve our patients.”
The Dolphins initiative will fund a V Foundation Early Career Investigator grant to support a young tenure-track researcher early in her/his career by funding projects that are either laboratory-based fundamental research or translational research.
During December, the V Foundation’s blog, In Their Own Words, will feature content related to Sylvester’s investigator grant and the collaboration between the V Foundation, the Miami Dolphins and ESPN.
“Pairing up the V Foundation with the Dolphins and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center in the fight against cancer was a natural choice,” said Kevin Martinez, ESPN’s Vice President of Corporate Citizenship. “Our viewers will be excited to see the V Foundation is making an impact in local NFL communities.”
The Dolphins join the Kansas City Chiefs as the second NFL team to help advance the V Foundation’s goal of achieving victory over cancer.
Follow the V Foundation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see more from the collaboration. For more information about the V Foundation, its grant program, or to donate, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
About the V Foundation for Cancer Research
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has funded more than $200 million in cancer research grants nationwide. The V Foundation awards 100 percent of direct donations to cancer research and programs. The V Foundation’s endowment covers administrative expenses. The Foundation awards peer-reviewed grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Advisory Board. For more information on the V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.
About ESPN
ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment company, features more than 50 assets – eight U.S. television networks, ESPN International, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine, and more. ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst.
About the Dolphins Cancer Challenge
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins organization as the signature initiative of the Foundation’s health pillar. The DCC’s mission is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at South Florida’s only academic-based cancer center – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $22.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For additional information, visit DolphinsCancerChallenge.
About Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System and the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is among the nation’s leading cancer centers and South Florida’s only Cancer Center of Excellence. A 2015 study by Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, published in The Journal of the American Medical Association, showed that cancer patients treated at Sylvester have a 10 percent higher chance of survival than those treated at nearly any other cancer center in the nation. With the combined strength of more than 120 cancer researchers and 130 cancer specialists, Sylvester discovers, develops and delivers more targeted therapies, providing the next generation of cancer clinical care – precision cancer medicine – to each patient. Our comprehensive diagnostics, coupled with teams of scientific and clinical experts who specialize in just one type of cancer, enable us to better understand each patient’s individual cancer and develop treatments that target the cells and genes driving the cancer’s growth and survival, leading to better outcomes. At Sylvester, patients have access to more treatment options and more cancer clinical trials than most hospitals in the southeastern United States. To better serve current and future patients, Sylvester has a network of conveniently located outpatient treatment facilities in Miami, Coral Gables, Kendall, Hollywood, Plantation, Deerfield Beach and Coral Springs. For more information, visit Sylvester.org.
Dolphins Cancer Challenge Hosted Family Fest at Zoo Miami
Download PDF version
December 10, 2017
#CancerFighters
***Photo/Video Credit: Miami Dolphins***
Photo/Video: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/lccwji6ggce31q4/AABoPvvouLwwU07JhJhMK2Y8a?dl=0
Dolphins Cancer Challenge Hosted Family Fest at Zoo Miami
Miami, Fla. – The Dolphins Cancer Challenge today hosted its 2017 Family Fest at Zoo Miami. Children ages 3-12 participated in a kids bike ride in a car-free, safe location with their families with short loops up to 3-5 miles. The event also had activities for the entire family, including day admission to the zoo, bounce houses, face painting and food and beverage. More than 400 cancers fighters participated in the event.
“We’re excited to host this year’s Family Fest at Zoo Miami for the first time and provide another opportunity for people of all ages to get involved and become cancer fighters,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of the Miami Dolphins Foundation and Dolphins Cancer Challenge Jennifer Jehn said. “100 percent of the funds raised today will continue to benefit Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and aid innovative cancer research.”
“Family Fest is a wonderful event that gives even the youngest cancer fighters a chance to shine,” said Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester. “Creating a family environment gets children involved in learning how they can make a difference. They’re able to see the impact of fundraising events that directly benefit our community by fueling cancer research that stays here in South Florida.”
This event precedes DCC VIII on Saturday, Feb. 10 that will include five bike routes through South Florida, a 5K run/walk, a finish line concert with the Goo Goo Dolls and Big Head Todd and the Monsters as well as a Dolphins Youth Ride and a Youth 5K for kids ages 14-17 – extending the opportunity for cancer fighters to be of all ages and all capabilities.
About Dolphins Cancer Challenge
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins organization as the signature initiative of the Foundation’s health pillar. The DCC’s mission is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at South Florida’s only academic-based cancer center – Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $22.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For additional information, call (305) 943-6799 or visit www. DolphinsCancerChallenge.com. DCC can be found on Facebook at facebook.com/RideDCC and on Twitter at @TackleCancer.
Kenny Stills named Miami Dolphins Nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Download PDF version
December 7, 2017
***Image credit: Miami Dolphins***
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/rtmfjv01hzg7o6w/AAAFINFdoVlgeS0SBEt-Lcjya?dl=0
Kenny Stills named Miami Dolphins Nominee for Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year
Miami – The Miami Dolphins today announced Kenny Stills as the team’s nominee for the WALTER PAYTON NFL MAN OF THE YEAR AWARD. Representing the best of the NFL’s commitment to philanthropy and community impact, Stills was selected as the Dolphins’ Man of the Year and is now eligible to win the national award. Considered one of the League’s most prestigious honors, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award recognizes an NFL player for outstanding community service activities off the field as well as excellence on the field.
Three of the nominees will be selected as finalists for the national award, renamed in 1999 after the late Hall of Fame Chicago Bears running back WALTER PAYTON. Finalists will be announced in January 2018. The winner will be announced in Minneapolis at NFL Honors, a two-hour primetime awards special to air nationally on Feb. 3, the night before Super Bowl LII, from 8-10 PM (ET and PT) on NBC.
Stills has become a pioneer among NFL players in addressing societal issues. In 2016, he worked with the Miami Dolphins and Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) to host a town hall meeting that brought influential local leaders together with law enforcement to discuss actionable steps that could be taken to address issues of racial inequality and unite the community. Items that came from this meeting included a police ride along program and CommUNITY tailgates, which bring local student-athletes, coaches, parents, community leaders, law enforcement and military personnel together at every Dolphins home game. Stills has used his platform this season to help inspire other NFL players to host similar programs in their local communities to enhance the relationship between citizens and law enforcement. This resulted in five teams joining the effort and hosting their own ride alongs in their cities – encouraging dialogue and displaying the teamwork that unites communities and their NFL teams directly to youth in the area. In addition, multiple teams have expressed similar plans to host law enforcement related events in their respective communities.
Additionally, since joining the Dolphins prior to the 2016 season, the wide out has attended far and away more community events put on by the team than any other player on the roster. Dolphins Head Coach Adam Gase recently said, “On any Tuesday, if you try to get a hold of him, you’re going to have to wait until five or six o’clock because he’s doing community stuff all day. I’ve been impressed with how he’s made himself available, how much he tries to do.” His efforts extend beyond this season, as he earned the team’s 2016 Nat Moore Community Service Award, given each year to a Miami Dolphins player recognized for his involvement in the South Florida community.
On the field, Stills is coming off a career year where he was tied for sixth in the NFL with nine receiving touchdowns in 2016. Also a leader on the field and in the locker room, his teammates voted him as one of the team’s captains for the 2017 season. Through six games, he leads the team and is tied for seventh in the NFL with four receiving touchdowns.
Stills has made it his mission to use his platform as a professional football player to give back not only to his community, but inspires other colleagues throughout the league to work to make a change as well in their markets. He embodies both the on- and off-field elements that Walter Payton exemplified.
The Dolphins have had three players win the award (Dwight Stephenson, Dan Marino and Jason Taylor). Miami is one of only seven teams to have had three or more winners of the award.
Starting in Week 14, the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year trophy silhouette will appear in uniform elements to further recognize past award winners and current nominees. Stills will wear a Man of the Year helmet decal through the end of the season, in recognition of his accomplishments on and off the field.
Five hundred thousand dollars will be donated in the name of the 2017 winner. $250,000 will be donated to the winner’s charity of choice and $250,000 will be donated in his name to expand Character Playbook across the country. The two other finalists will each receive a $100,000 donation to their charity of choice and a $100,000 donation in their names to expand Character Playbook. All other 29 nominees will receive a $50,000 donation to their charity of choice and an additional $50,000 donation in their name to expand Character Playbook. All donations are courtesy of the NFL Foundation and United Way Worldwide.
The NFL announced last month a Super Bowl Ticket Giveaway, a new initiative this season to surprise fans across the country with an invitation to attend Super Bowl LII in Minnesota. As a Man of the Year nominee, Stills received two Super Bowl LII tickets to give away to community heroes.
To learn more about Stills’ nomination, visit NFL.com/manoftheyear.
Miami Dolphins Announce Team Has a Complete Roster of Registered Voters
Download PDF version
December 8, 2017
Miami Dolphins Announce Team Has a Complete Roster of Registered Voters
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins announced that in conjunction with the Drum Major Institute (http://www.drummajorinst.org/), every player on the roster has completed paperwork to become a registered voter. The initiative started in June when the Dolphins hosted Martin Luther King III and Bill Wachtel of the Drum Major Institute at practice to start the voter registration process.
“I salute the Miami Dolphins for their leadership in realizing upon my father’s dream of a society where all Americans can and do vote,” said King III. “Today, we celebrate the fact that every player on the Dolphins roster is a registered voter. What makes this truly special is that this voter registration effort, which was begun by Kenny Stills, has been spreading throughout the NFL and other sports leagues. As my father often said, that short step into the voting booth is the longest stride for democracy.”
The voter registration success comes on the heels of an announcement by Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and the team’s players of the creation of a yearly fund for advocacy and social justice programs. The fund will provide financial support and amplify programs centered on community engagement, education and justice reform.
Miami Dolphins registering to vote b-roll from June 2017:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/7mkq3w4d46cy5c5/Voter%20Registration%20Broll.mp4?dl=0
Miami Dolphins Surprise Hollywood Hills High School Football Team with Equipment Donation
Download PDF version
December 6, 2017
***Photo/Video Credit: Miami Dolphins***
Photos/Video: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/3l4672mjy4zjxd6/AACQoMvLMpi6PxaAO9e7jAkpa?dl=0
Miami Dolphins Surprise Hollywood Hills High School Football Team with
Equipment Donation
Miami, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins surprised the Hollywood Hills High School football team with gym and football equipment. Dolphins players Isiah Ford, Malcolm Lewis, Raekwon McMillan and Eric Smith, Dolphins Youth Programs Manager and alumnus Troy Drayton and cheerleaders Holly and Jodi were on hand for the event. The donated equipment included running sleds, foam rollers, heavy bags, medicine balls, ropes and hurdles.
”It’s an incredible opportunity for us to give back,” McMillan said. “These guys, they go out and they put in hard work, and we’re trying to show them that giving respect to your coach and paying your dues gets you the opportunity to have things like this happen for your program.”
This week, the Spartans football team will have the opportunity to visit a Dolphins practice, meet with current players and have lunch provided by Wendy’s. Prior to the Dolphins vs. Patriots Monday Night Football matchup on Dec. 11, the Hollywood Hills squad will be featured as the team of the week and stand on the field for the national anthem.
The Hollywood Hills football team this season also is participating in the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) Leadership Program. The RISE Leadership Program is designed to empower sports administrators, coaches and athletes to be leaders in discussing and addressing matters of racism, prejudice, diversity and inclusivity within their teams, schools and communities. The multifaceted program increases awareness, builds skills and creates safe spaces to have difficult conversations. Participants learn about the history of race and sports, the power of sports to drive change and how they can become leaders in improving race relations. Founded in 2015 by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen M. Ross, RISE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the unifying power of sports to improve race relations and drive social progress.
Miami Dolphins Visit Baptist Children’s Hospital
Download PDF version
December 5, 2017
Miami Dolphins Visit Baptist Children’s Hospital
Miami – Miami Dolphins players Ted Larsen, Cody Parkey and Kenny Stills, cheerleaders Alexandra and Etta and mascot T.D. spent their day off visiting patients at Baptist Children’s Hospital.
“Each year, we look forward to the Miami Dolphins visiting the children at our hospital,” Baptist Hospital and Baptist Children’s Hospital Chief Executive Officer Bo Boulenger said. “The players, cheerleaders and T.D bring such joy to our patients and families — a memory they will never forget.”
The group distributed Baskets of Hope filled with toys, games, craft items, stuffed animals, gift cards and Wendy’s items that include footballs, pens and coloring books to the patients to brighten their day. Wendy’s is a supporting partner of this hospital visit.
“I’m very honored to be here. It’s cool to see the smile on these kids face. If we can brighten their day at all, it makes it worth it for us,” Parkey said. “It’s our off day, but we try to use our influence in a positive way. I try to do as much as I can in the community, especially being from South Florida, I feel like it’s heavy on my heart to give back to the community as much as I can. But it’s awesome being here – it’s just as uplifting for us as it is for some of the kids.”
The Dolphins through the years have had numerous visits to Baptist Children’s Hospital, with more than two dozen players, cheerleaders and mascot T.D. visiting more than 200 patients in that time.
Miami Dolphins make roster moves
Download PDF version
December 2, 2017
Miami Dolphins make roster moves
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have promoted defensive end Cameron Malveaux from the practice squad and placed safety Maurice Smith on the reserve/non-football illness list.
Malveaux (pronounced Mal-VOH) joined the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent on May 5, 2017. During the preseason, he recorded six solo tackles, one sack, three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits. Malveaux played collegiately at Houston where he appeared in 52 career games with 27 starts. He started all 13 games as a senior in 2016. This is the first time Malveaux has appeared on an active NFL roster.
Smith played in six games for the Dolphins, primarily on special teams. He recorded one solo tackle and one pass defensed. He originally joined the Dolphins as an undrafted college free agent on May 5, 2017 and made the active roster out of training camp. Smith played collegiately at Georgia, where he played in all 13 games with 11 starts as a senior in 2016.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Cameron Malveaux |
DE |
6-5 |
276 |
8/22/94 |
R |
Houston ’17 |
Beaumont, Texas |
FA, ‘17 |
