Miami Dolphins Rookies join FOOTBALL UNITES™ to Announce Expanded Partnership with Special Olympics Florida
Download PDF version
May 23, 2019
Image Credit: Miami Dolphins
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1l8n3zql4ku864e/AADiDljjEqUzyDtx0nMZIezea?dl=0
#TeamworkAtWork #FootballUnites #InspireChange
Miami Dolphins Rookies join FOOTBALL UNITES™ to Announce Expanded Partnership with Special Olympics Florida
Miami Gardens, Fla. –The Miami Dolphins FOOTBALL UNITES™ program, under the organization’s “Teamwork At Work” initiative, announced a partnership with Special Olympics Florida on a series of initiatives designed to promote inclusion and acceptance on Wednesday, May 22. To kick-off the partnership, the entire 2019 Miami Dolphins rookie class joined 95 athletes of Special Olympics South Florida in addition to FOOTBALL UNITES™ law enforcement partners from South Florida jurisdictions including Davie Police Department, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Miami Gardens Police Department, North Miami Beach Police Athletic League and North Miami Police Athletic League, to participate in a day of games and activities.
“Special Olympics Florida is an incredible organization that embodies the FOOTBALL UNITES™ mission of uniting groups of different races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, abilities and faith around the power of football,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications & Community Affairs Jason Jenkins said. “We want to level the playing field for these amazing athletes and are excited about using our platform to make a positive impact in their lives.”
To announce the partnership, the Dolphins expanded their inclusive football clinic and hosted Unified Flag Football Teams from across South Florida to participate while using the opportunity to promote the Special Olympics Fit 5 initiative. Fit 5 is based on the three simple goals of exercising five days per week, eating five total fruits and vegetables per day, and drinking five bottles of water per day. Current Dolphins players and FOOTBALL UNITES™ partners served as coaches and referees.
“Stephen Ross’ vision for a more united and inclusive community reflects the core of Special Olympics Florida’s values,” Special Olympics Florida President & CEO Sherry Wheelock said. “Special Olympics spreads compassion and acceptance in a way that helps unite communities. Together we can awaken everyone and every community to embrace each person’s common humanity. This vision of inclusion starts at the local level. Special Olympics Florida, 54,000 athletes strong, is truly proud to partner with the Miami Dolphins through the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program, as we believe sports can change attitudes by bringing people together regardless of ability or disability in a very special way.”
The Dolphins also will host the Special Olympics South Florida Youth Summit to promote inclusive activities and educational leadership opportunities. In addition, the organization will continue to host the Law Enforcement Torch Run at Hard Rock Stadium. Furthermore, participants in Special Olympics Florida will be fully integrated into FOOTBALL UNITES™ programming, including The Captains Program, Cultural Tours and CommUNITY Tailgates.
“I appreciate the Miami Dolphins helping build a healthy unified generation by supporting people with unique abilities coming together to train and compete on the same team” Special Olympics Florida Athlete and Health Messenger Daniel Fundora added.
Special Olympics Florida was founded in 1972 and is an affiliate of Special Olympics, Inc. which is headquartered in Washington D.C. Special Olympics Florida serves more than 50,000 athletes, including more than 15,000 participants in South Florida (Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties) offering 24 sports. For more information, click here.
As part of the Dolphins’ “Teamwork at Work” platform to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community, Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and Dolphins players created the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program as a way to bring positive social change. The Dolphins organization believes it is important to be inclusive of the diversity and aware of the intersections that make up South Florida, uniting groups of different races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, abilities and faith around the power of football. These programs connect to the NFL’s Inspire Change platform, showcasing the collaborative efforts of players, owners and the league to create positive change in communities across the country and work with RISE – the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality – to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.
Information on the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program can be found here. To learn more about RISE, visit here. Fans can join the conversation with the NFL’S Inspire Change program by clicking here.
