Dolphins Cancer Challenge 10 Celebrates Cancer Survivors and Raises Funds for Cancer Research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
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February 29, 2020
#TackleCancer
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Dolphins Cancer Challenge 10 Celebrates Cancer Survivors and Raises Funds for Cancer Research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The South Florida community rallied for the Miami Dolphins’ tenth annual Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC 10) raising funds for innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth – the University of Miami Health System.
A record-breaking 6,000 participants biked, ran, walked and volunteered in the event. The ethos of the day was celebrated by the 250 cancer survivors who participated – reinforcing the motivation of the DCC to tackle cancer. The Survivor Program presented by the Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation will continue to share the stories of the thriving survivors on the front line who galvanize efforts at the DCC.
“The Miami Dolphins are proud to host the largest fundraiser in the NFL and through this year’s Dolphins Cancer Challenge we are continuing that tradition with a record number of participants coming together to raise money for cancer research at Sylvester,” Miami Dolphins Foundation Executive Director Jesse Marks said. “We are honored to once again be in the position to make another major gift to our partners at Sylvester who provide such a needed service to our community. Thank you to all of our partners, participants, donors and municipalities who come together to create such an impactful event for South Florida in the fight against cancer.”
“We are so grateful for this incredible partnership with the Miami Dolphins,” Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., said. “With the support of our community we have been able to cure an ever increasing number of patients with cancer over the past 10 years and develop new more effective approaches to preventing cancer. We have become an NCI-designated cancer center and we look forward to even more cancer breakthroughs as a result of the funds raised through the Dolphins Cancer Challenge.”
The DCC 10 concluded at the Finish Line presented by AutoNation where participants celebrated at the Finish Line Festival presented by Moss Construction on the grounds of the tennis campus at Hard Rock Stadium. The event featured live entertainment throughout the day from the Ultimate Stage present by Ultimate Software. The festival grounds included delicious cuisine and beverages from the roof top bar and beer garden as well as games, inflatables, gondola rides at the venue’s SkyView presented by Bud Light Seltzer, a petting zoo, massages and more for the whole family.
The DCC donates 100 percent of participant-raised funds to innovative cancer research at Sylvester. The event would not be possible without the incredible support of all contributors, including Champion partners AutoNation, Harcourt M. and Virginia W. Sylvester Foundation, Lennar Foundation and Moss Construction as well as Hero partners BBVA Compass, Breakthru Beverage, EventStar Structures, JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa and Ultimate Software. Funds are still being collected through April 6, 2020.
These initiatives align with the Miami Dolphins Foundation’s commitment of leveraging the power of sports and entertainment to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community.
The DCC was founded in 2010 by the Miami Dolphins Organization as the signature initiative of the Foundation’s health impact area and has become the largest fundraising event in the NFL. The DCC’s purpose is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at Sylvester, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center. Sylvester is now among the top cancer centers in the United States and joins a highly select group as one of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in the state of Florida and one of just 71 across the nation. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $32.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For more information, visit www.DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.
Miami Dolphins Host 38 Players at Fourth Annual Dolphins Business Combine
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February 28, 2020
Miami Dolphins Host 38 Players at Fourth Annual Dolphins Business Combine
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins hosted their fourth annual Dolphins Business Combine (DBC) from February 23–27. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, created the event to provide unique opportunities for his players’ development off the field. Starting with 16 participants in 2017, the DBC had its highest turnout in 2020, with 38 players taking part in the event. Throughout the week, attendees took part in seminars focused on real estate, entrepreneurship, business leadership, business operations, corporate finance, marketing and project management. These sessions were led by NFL alumni and Arizona State University professors with first-hand knowledge of their respective fields. Each player also received a DBC business accelerator program certificate in partnership with ASU’s Global Sport Institute.
“Any organization works best when the people know that the head of the organization cares about their development,” said Ross. “I thought it was incumbent on me to show them the opportunities they can have when they finish their careers while still playing. I’m proud of the work that we have accomplished together over the past four years and excited that so many players were involved in this year’s event.”
Dolphins players that participated in this year’s combine included Vince Biegel, Nate Brooks, Evan Brown, Shaq Calhoun, Jake Carlock, Taco Charlton, Julien Davenport, Jesse Davis, Trevor Davis, Sam Eguavoen, Myles Gaskin, Davon Godchaux, Matt Haack, Terrill Hanks, Trent Harris, Mack Hollins, Allen Hurns, Danny Isidora, John Jenkins, Andy Jones, Deon Lacey, Patrick Laird, Jonathan Ledbetter, Bobby McCain, Raekwon McMillan, Avery Moss, Steven Parker, Taybor Pepper, Jamal Perry, Eric Rowe, Jake Rudock, Jason Sanders, Zach Sieler, Durham, Smythe, Keaton Sutherland, Cordrea Tankersley, Ken Webster and Christian Wilkins.
“The best part about the Dolphins Business Combine is that players have an active role in shaping the curriculum based on a survey we conducted about their interests,” said Dolphins Director of Player Engagement Kaleb Thornhill. “The program was also planned to replicate an in-season week for the players – with classroom sessions, real-world company visits to simulate practice and a final business competition to represent game day – to help them better connect with the material and implement what they learned in a real-world setting.”
The combine concluded on Thursday, February 27 at Hard Rock Stadium with a business competition where each group pitched in front of a panel of judges and an audience. Judges included RSE Ventures Co-Founder Matt Higgins, Q’Straint Co-President Julie Boynton, former NFL Player and entrepreneur Justin Forsett, former NFL Player and UBS Financial Services Inc. Director of Wealth Management Adewale Ogunleye and former NFL Player and entrepreneur Spencer Paysinger. The overall competition brought together elements of communication, design, public speaking, pitching, innovation and collaboration.
“This event really speaks to our owner Stephen Ross who believes in us, who doesn’t just invest in us on the field, but invest in us off the field. That’s when you know you’re part of a special organization,” Biegel said.
Miami Dolphins Expand Podcast Network
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February 24, 2020
Miami Dolphins Expand Podcast Network
Miami Gardens, FL – In conjunction with the start of the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, the Miami Dolphins have announced two new additions to its podcast network. Travis Wingfield has joined the organization and will provide original content to the Dolphins, including the debut of the “Drive Time with Travis Wingfield” podcast. In addition, the popular “The Fish Tank: Miami Dolphins Tales From The Deep” podcast with Seth Levit and alumnus O.J. McDuffie will host 24 original shows on team platforms throughout the year. These two podcasts will join “The Audible” hosted by Kim Bokamper and John Congemi.
“We are excited to bring Travis, Seth and O.J. into the Dolphins podcast network and elevate their passion and unique brand of storytelling to the community at large,” said Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins. “Our goal is to deliver a diverse, informative and fun slate of voices to our already robust programming and we feel strongly that this content will resonate with our fanbase.”
Both a writer and podcaster, Wingfield will bring his trademark comprehensive and energetic approach that he developed to make “Locked On Dolphins” into a household name in the sports podcasting universe to Dolphins platforms. A self-described tape junkie, he channels his passion into his first love — the Miami Dolphins. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Wingfield graduated from Washington State University.
The Fish Tank features conversations that range from thought provoking to outrageously hilarious. Whether the guest is a former Dolphins player, team personnel, or member of the South Florida sports media, when you’re in the tank you can expect some of the best stories you’ve never heard. Hosts McDuffie and Levit both previously enjoyed eight-year stints with the Miami Dolphins. McDuffie was the team’s first-round draft choice in 1993 and became one of Dan Marino’s favorite targets, highlighted by his 1998 season when he led the NFL with 90 receptions. Levit was a member of the team’s Media Relations Department from 1996-2004 and has spent the past 16 years overseeing the Jason Taylor Foundation.
All Miami Dolphins podcasts are available at Apple Podcasts, Spotify and MiamiDolphins.com.
Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Present UNIR at Broward Center for the Performing Arts
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February 20, 2020
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Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders Present UNIR at Broward Center for the Performing Arts
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders showcased their dance talents in family-friendly performance that unified dancers of different races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, abilities and organizations through UNIR at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, Feb. 20.
“Through UNIR, the Miami Dolphins have given us the opportunity to perform on stage as professional dancers outside of the football field giving fans the chance to see our work ethic, poise, teamwork and the incredibly strong mindset it takes to be a Dolphins Cheerleader as athletes, artists and powerful women in the sports industry,” Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Katie said. “UNIR represents more than just dance show, it is about coming together through art and connecting with one another regardless of backgrounds and cultural differences.”
Fans of all ages had the opportunity to witness the fantastic display of art through modern technology and dance. As an embodiment of the unifying power and celebration of dance, UNIR featured guest performers from around the globe including Dreamchasers Cayman, Insieme Performance Kiel, The University of Miami Cheerleaders, Spirit Academy Trinidad & Tobago and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleaders alongside the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders.
Miami Dolphins Cheer is among the most highly regarded and recognized cheerleader brands in the world. The diverse team of women are athletic, confident and trendy yet timeless. They are talented dance performers, passionate community advocates and relatable social influencers. Miami Dolphins Cheer is committed to inspiring and entertaining all fans with an emphasis on empowering young women.
Miami Dolphins announce coaching staff additions
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February 20, 2020
Miami Dolphins announce coaching staff additions
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have hired Gerald Alexander as defensive backs coach, Anthony Campanile as linebackers coach and Lemuel Jeanpierre as assistant offensive line coach. The team has also promoted Karl Dorrell to assistant head coach/wide receivers and Josh Grizzard to assistant wide receivers coach. Rob Leonard will serve as assistant defensive line coach.
Alexander is the 11th person in franchise history to both play and coach for the Dolphins. He played two games at safety for Miami in the 2011 season. Alexander spent the past three seasons as the defensive backs coach at California. Two of his defensive backs earned All-Pac-12 honors in 2019 – Camryn Bynum Jr. and Ashtyn Davis. In 2018, Alexander’s unit helped the Bears lead the Pac-12 and rank second nationally with 21 interceptions. The team also led the Pac-12 and was ninth nationally in passing defense (175.1 passing yards allowed per game).
Campanile has coached multiple position groups on both sides of the ball at the collegiate level. In 2019, Campanile served as the linebackers coach at Michigan, where he helped Khaleke Hudson and Josh Uche both earn All-Big Ten honors. Campanile spent three years (2016-18) at Boston College, where he coached defensive backs (2016-17) and added co-defensive coordinator duties in 2018. He helped six of his defensive backs earn All-ACC honors and four of them were selected in the NFL draft. Campanile also coached tight ends (2013-14) and wide receivers (2015) at Rutgers.
Jeanpierre has nine years of NFL experience – six as a player (2011-16) and three as a coach (2017-19). He most recently served as the assistant offensive line coach for the Oakland Raiders from 2018-19. Last year, Jeanpierre tutored a Raiders offensive line that was eighth in the NFL with just 29 sacks allowed, including four sack-free contests. The offensive line also helped Josh Jacobs rush for 1,150 yards, becoming the first rookie in team history to have a 1,000-yard rushing season. Two of Oakland’s offensive linemen – Trent Brown and Rodney Hudson – earned Pro Bowl honors.
Dorrell is in his second season of his second stint with the Dolphins. He was the team’s wide receivers coach in 2019 and previously served as wide receivers coach from 2008-10 and quarterbacks coach in 2011. Dorrell mentored DeVante Parker, who led all AFC wide receivers with 1,202 receiving yards in 2019, the first 1,000-yard season of his career. Parker’s total was fifth in the NFL and sixth-most in a single season in Dolphins history. Undrafted rookie Preston Williams had 32 receptions for 428 yards (13.4 avg.) and three touchdowns before suffering a season-ending injury. His 32 receptions were tied for the most by an NFL rookie at the time of his injury.
Grizzard is in his fourth season with the Dolphins after spending the past three years as a quality control coach. He helped Miami finish 5-4 in its final nine games during the 2019 season, including wins over division champions Philadelphia and at New England. Prior to Miami, Grizzard spent four seasons (2013-16) at Duke, where he was a graduate assistant and quality control coach working primarily with quarterbacks.
Leonard is in his second season with the Dolphins after serving as linebackers coach in 2019. He helped mentor Jerome Baker, who led the team with 124 tackles (74 solo), which was the fourth-most in the AFC in just Baker’s second NFL season. Leonard also worked with Vince Biegel, who recorded his first career sack and interception, and led the Dolphins with 13 quarterback hits.
Miami Dolphins Win NFL Huddle for 100 Club Competition
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February 20, 2020
#DolphinsHuddleFor100 @NFL
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Miami Dolphins Win NFL Huddle for 100 Club Competition
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The NFL today announced that the Miami Dolphins won the NFL Huddle for 100 club competition, a league wide effort to encourage volunteerism and meaningful contributions throughout the country. The Dolphins led the NFL with 75,623,500 volunteer minutes through 89,210 volunteers and 163 events. As a result, the organization will receive a $100,000 grand prize from the NFL Foundation to be used on a community service project.
“I want to thank the NFL for creating the Huddle for 100 program and recognize our team, community partners and fans for volunteering their time to strengthen South Florida,” said Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman, President and CEO Tom Garfinkel. “We appreciate our role as stewards of our community and believe that the power of football can make a big difference in people’s lives and the cultural and charitable organizations that serve our community’s needs.”
Kicking off at the 2019 NFL Draft, the NFL invited fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time, totaling 100 million minutes of service. The NFL Family logged 397,253,630 total minutes of volunteerism, more than tripling the original goal. The 300-million-minute mark was surpassed during multiple Huddle events held across South Florida prior to Super Bowl LIV. The Miami Dolphins contributed to this initiative with the Dolphins Huddle for 100 campaign by working to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community.
Some of the Dolphins Huddle for 100 events included: The Dolphins Cancer Challenge, 5000 Role Models Police and Youth Conference, youth and high school football team canned food donations, volunteering at the Miami Beach Pride Parade, thanksgiving meal distributions and game day meal packing events with Feeding South Florida, a military veteran baby shower for expecting mothers and the Miami Dolphins Cheerleader Empowerment Series focused on mentoring local youth. These activities were powered by the organization’s Special Teams volunteer programs.
Miami Dolphins sign Roberts
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February 19, 2020
Miami Dolphins sign Roberts
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed tight end Michael Roberts.
Roberts played in 23 games with five starts over two seasons (2017-18) with Detroit. He caught 13 passes for 146 yards (11.2 avg.) and three touchdowns during those two seasons. Roberts originally entered the NFL as a fourth-round pick (127th overall) by Detroit in the 2017 NFL draft.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Michael Roberts |
TE |
6-5 |
265 |
5/7/94 |
3 |
Toledo ’17 |
Cleveland, Ohio |
FA, ‘20 |
Dolphins Cancer Challenge Hosts Fifth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Moss Construction
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February 14, 2020
#TackleCancer
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Dolphins Cancer Challenge Hosts Fifth Annual Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Moss Construction
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) hosted its fifth annual DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Moss Construction at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa’s two 18-hole championship courses on Friday, Feb. 14. The tournament offered cancer fighters a chance to golf and interact with Miami Dolphins executives, players, alumni, T.D. and other celebrity guests. Funds raised from the golf tournament benefited Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, a part of UHealth — the University of Miami Health System. The event this year is in advance of DCC 10’s signature event slated for Saturday, Feb. 29.
“The DCC Golf Tournament has grown to become a fundamental part of our year round effort to raise awareness and fundraise for cancer research at Sylvester,” Miami Dolphins Foundation Executive Director Jesse Marks said. “We appreciate Jeff Soffer and Jeff Klein at JW Marriott Turnberry Isle and Moss Construction for their generosity in hosting this event as well as all the participants that came out to take part in this tournament. Due to their continuous support, we are able to progress this initiative with 100% of participant raised funds going directly to Sylvester.”
Miami Dolphins Head Coach Brian Flores greeted the golfers before they teed off for a round of scramble-golf on the world-famous Soffer and Miller Courses. Golfers then enjoyed the post event 19th hole Celebration presented by BBVA Compass.
Former and current pro athletes participated in the event including Miami Dolphins Matt Haack, Trent Harris, John Jenkins and Jake Rudock in addition to Dolphins alumni Woody Bennett, Bob Brudzinski, Vernon Carey, Troy Drayton, Lorenzo Hampton, Terry Kirby, Dan Marino, Nat Moore and John Offerdahl as well as former NFL athletes Ki-Jana Carter, John Harris and Darryl Williams.
During the 2019 season, the Miami Dolphins Foundation announced a two-year partnership renewal with the V Foundation for Cancer Research under the umbrella of the NFL’s Blitz Cancer program for the 2019 and 2020 seasons. To kick off the tournament, The V Foundation announced it would award the first of two new Early Career Investigator Grants in the upcoming weeks in the amount of $200,000 to a young, tenure-track faculty early in their cancer research career at Sylvester, supporting either laboratory-based fundamental or translational research.
“The tremendous collaboration between the Dolphins and the V Foundation enables us to support the critical work of an early career investigator,” V Foundation Senior Vice President of Communications at Public Affairs at the V Foundation Sherrie Mazur said. “We focus on emerging opportunities while keeping momentum toward outcomes. Teamwork, such as this, allows us to work toward Victory Over Cancer®.”
These initiatives align with the Miami Dolphins Foundation’s commitment of leveraging the power of sports and entertainment to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community.
2020 DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament Winners
Scramble (Miller Course) – Ryan Labell, Frank Losito, Dave Mack and Wes Serrato
Scramble (Soffer Course) – Rodney Barreto, Andy Mitchell, Nat Moore, Bob Moss
Closest to the Pin (Miller) – Joe Orfely
Closest to the Pin (Soffer) – Jose Gonzalez
Women’s Longest Drive (Miller Course) – Deb McCarthy
Women’s Longest Drive (Soffer Course) – Hili Scheck
Men’s Longest Drive (Miller Course) – Steven Scheck
Men’s Longest Drive (Soffer Course) – Jake Rudock
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 impact area and has become the largest fundraising event in the NFL. The DCC’s mission is to improve people’s lives through financial support for innovative cancer research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, South Florida’s only National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated cancer center. Sylvester is now among the top cancer centers in the United States and joins a highly select group as one of only two NCI-designated cancer centers in the state of Florida and one of just 71 across the nation. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $32.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For additional information visit www. DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.
