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Miami Dolphins in Partnership with Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Kickoff First Football Unites Cultural Tour   Download PDF version

September 19, 2018

Image Credit: Miami Dolphins

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#TeamworkAtWork #FootballUnites

Miami Dolphins in Partnership with Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Kickoff First Football Unites Cultural Tour

MIAMI—The Miami Dolphins in partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau kicked off the first Football Unites Cultural tour experiencing historical locations throughout Miami. Miami Dolphins players Jerome Baker, Leonte Carroo, Matt Haack, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jamiyus Pittman and Jason Sanders, alumni Eddie Hill and Sam Madison, as well as Dolphins staff spent the day with local youth, community leaders and law enforcement to experience the richness and diversity of the area.

“I’m new to Miami so it’s cool just learning the different history, all the different parts of Miami, the different cultures, the different backgrounds, talking to different people and enjoying it,” Miami Dolphins Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick said. “Understanding how people think, how they operate – I think is a big part of that is their culture and their background. The Dolphins do a real good job of trying to express the importance of going out into the community and understanding people’s culture.”

As part of these educational tours, the group made stops at the Lyric Theater in Overtown with lunch provided by Jackson’s Soul Food and later visited Freedom Tower and Cuban restaurant Café Versailles.

“Today was a great opportunity to really learn about the city of Miami. A lot of the rookies came out, hung out with us alumni and we had a group of young talented youth from around South Florida to take through the city of Miami to give them the opportunity to understand the rich history that we have here and how it really began,” Miami Dolphins Alumni Sam Madison said. “When you talk about football, we always talk about have pride in your job and what you do, you need to have pride in the city you grew up in. And that’s what we are trying to show, give back, and the Miami Dolphins definitely going above and beyond to do that and show that.”

Youth of the Football Unites grant programs were selected to accompany these tours, which included 5000 Role Models, North Miami Beach PAL, North Miami PAL, Pridelines, SAVE, YWCA and NOBLE.

“What we did today in partnership with the Miami Dolphins is absolutely amazing. It is so unbelievable how we’ve come together to unite these organizations together with the youth of our community that’s  going to carry on everything that they’re learning from today forward,” Executive Director North Miami Beach PAL Lynda Roberts said.

This tour marks the first of four Football Unites Cultural Tours scheduled throughout the year. These unique experiences are a result of a joint partnership with the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. The team is scheduled to visit locations throughout Miami-Dade and Broward County, including the African American Research Library, Holocaust Memorial and Jewish Museum, Liberty City, Little Haiti, Seminole Tribe and South Beach Palace.

“What a day of education and connection within Miami’s multicultural communities of Historic Overtown and Little Havana. The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is happy to partner with Football Unites and the Miami Dolphins Football team on tours connecting the cultural jewels of Miami with our players, youth and community stakeholders,” Vice President of Multicultural Tourism & Development for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Connie Kinnard said.

Miami Dolphins promote Smith   Download PDF version

September 18, 2018

Miami Dolphins promote Smith

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have promoted safety Maurice Smith to the active roster.

Smith played in six games with the Dolphins in 2017 after he signed on May 5, 2017 as an undrafted college free agent. He made one solo tackle before he was placed on the non-football illness list on Dec. 2, 2017, ending his season. Smith spent the 2018 offseason and training camp with Miami before he was waived on Sept. 4, 2018 and signed to the team’s practice squad on Sept. 5, 2018.

Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Birthdate Exp. College Hometown Acq.
Maurice Smith S 6-0 194 6/14/95 2 Georgia ’17 Missouri City, Texas FA, ‘17
Miami Dolphins place Sitton on injured reserve   Download PDF version

September 14, 2018

Miami Dolphins place Sitton on injured reserve

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have placed guard Josh Sitton on injured reserve.

Sitton joined the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent on March 16, 2018 after spending two seasons (2016-17) in Chicago. He played the first eight seasons of his career in Green Bay (2008-15) and has totaled 148 career games played and 138 starts. Sitton has earned four Pro Bowl selections following the 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 seasons and was a first-team All-Pro in 2014.

Miami Dolphins and Baptist Health South Florida Donate Equipment to Key West High School, Marathon High School and Coral Shores High School Football Teams   Download PDF version

September 13, 2018

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Miami Dolphins and Baptist Health South Florida Donate Equipment to Key West High School, Marathon High School and Coral Shores High School Football Teams

Miami, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins and Baptist Health South Florida donated football equipment to the Key West High School, Marathon High School and Coral Shores High School football teams. The donation is part of both organizations’ long-term rebuilding efforts in the region in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

The donated equipment, selected by the schools from a wish list, included scoreboards, practice jerseys and pants, t-shirts, cleats, Gatorade coolers, down markers, goal post wraps, sleds, knee pads, shoulder pads, belts and hip pads.

“A year after Hurricane Irma, the Miami Dolphins recognize how important long-term recovery efforts are as we all continue to work hard and rebuild our communities,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs Jason Jenkins said. “Through the Junior Dolphins Donation Program, we’re excited to support these three deserving teams with new football equipment and wish them success this season. These long-term efforts don’t happen without great community partners so we also want to thank Baptist Health South Florida their support and commitment to the region.”

“Hurricane Irma devastated this community, but as you saw today, it certainly didn’t affect its spirit,” Rick Freeburg, Chief Executive Officer, Mariners Hospital and Fishermen’s Community Hospital said. “We are proud to partner with the Miami Dolphins as we continue our recovery efforts after the storm.”

The team also had the opportunity to hear from Freeburg and Dolphins alum and Youth Programs Ambassador Twan Russell about the importance of teamwork and overcoming adversity.

Today’s visit is part of the growing Junior Dolphins Donation Program, which this year also has made donations to Booker T. Washington High School in August, Miramar High School in May, Pompano Beach High School in July and Spanish River High School in September.

The Junior Dolphins program encourages youth players and coaches to learn, teach and play football in a fun and safe environment. The Junior Dolphins program is designed to give kids access to learn the fundamentals of football using the NFL’s top resources. To grow the game, the Junior Dolphins program will work to educate coaches, parents and youth on the health and safety of football with a strong emphasis on character development. Junior Dolphins is building the next generation of Dolphins Fans.

Baptist Health South Florida is the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

Miami Dolphins Visit Miami VA Healthcare System and West Palm Beach VA Medical Center on Sept. 11   Download PDF version

September 11, 2018

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Miami Dolphins Visit Miami VA Healthcare System and West Palm Beach VA Medical Center on Sept. 11

Miami – Miami Dolphins’ players Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson, alumni Mark Duper, cheerleaders and mascot TD visited the Miami VA Healthcare System and West Palm Beach VA Medical Center on 9/11 to honor those who have served our country.

“Having (the Dolphins) in the hospital is great for our veterans. They were so happy, they are very excited. Some of them are very sick and just seeing them just makes them so happy. I have a patient that told me that, ‘I saw them from the pain clinic. I was in pain – as soon as I saw them – the pain disappeared.’ You couldn’t ask for more,” Miami VA Healthcare System Chief of Medical Administration Service Titilola Olugbakinro said. “It’s like a healing therapy for (the patients) to see (the Dolphins players). We are very happy that they came out of their busy time to come and visit us today.”

“During Sept. 11, I believe I was in fourth grade. I was getting ready for school. We ended up seeing the first building hit while I was at home,” Stills said. “It’s a really tragic day. A day I don’t forget. So it’s really important for us to be here today and try to bring some happiness and put smiles on people’s faces.”

During the visit, the Dolphins signed autographs and distributed Miami Dolphins’ T-shirts and notepads.

“Going through what I’m going through, I’m really emotional. And for something (like the Dolphins to visit), how can you time it so well to make something like this happen when I’m here going through what I’m going through,” patient Dwight Artis said in his recovering from spinal cord surgery. “I know I’m going to get better, but this is my motivation.”

Miami Dolphins Announce Week 1 PlayFootball Award Winners   Download PDF version

September 10, 2018

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#TeamWorkAtWork #JuniorDolphins #LetsPlayFootball

Miami Dolphins Announce Week 1 PlayFootball Award Winners

Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins announced their PlayFootball Week 1 award winners in a program designed to celebrate youth football in South Florida. For each home game, the Dolphins will identify a high school coach of the week, high school player of the week, youth player of the week and team mom of the week. Award recipients will receive tickets to a Dolphins home game, be presented with a plaque on the field at Hard Rock Stadium and receive acknowledgement of their accomplishment in the game program and through the Dolphins’ social media platforms. The Dolphins also will recognize a team of the week who will be on field during the national anthem.

The program concludes at the Dolphins-Jaguars game where the Dolphins will honor yearly award winners in all categories with the exception of the team of the year.

Week 1 Winners:

  • High School Coach of the Week: Dave Coleman from Piper High School. Coleman and his team began the season with a huge upset over perennial Dade powerhouse Miami Norland, winning the game 24-21.
  • High School Player of the Week: Nay’Quan Wright from Miami Carol City High School. The senior running back rushed for 163 yards on 22 carries and scored an 80-yard touchdown run on the second snap of the game. Wright’s performance helped the Chiefs cruise to a 34-14 win over the two-time defending state champions American Heritage Plantation. He also was the 2016 Miami Dolphins High School Player of the Year.
  • Youth Player of the Week: Keymari Robiou from the Miami Shore Spartans 11U of the Miami Xtreme Football League. Robiou, a running back and linebacker, had 10 carries for 112 yards and one touchdown and added 10 tackles as the Spartans defeated the Kendall Hammock Warriors 14-6.
  • Team Mom of the Week: Brenda Aldana from the West Miramar Patriots 13U of the Miami Xtreme Football League. Aldana is a second year team mom and this year assisted the Patriots rebuild to four weight classes. A realtor by trade, Aldana, used her real estate marketing expertise to help market the league via social media and distributed flyers door to door. Her team truly sees her as the Patriots’ most valuable mom and believe she is irreplaceable.
  • Team of the Week: Marjory Stoneman Douglas Senior High School. The Miami Dolphins were proud to honor the Stoneman Douglas football team as their team of the week at their home opener vs. the Titans in a continuing effort to support the Stoneman Douglas community and provide solace through sports following the February 14th school shooting.

The Junior Dolphins program encourages youth players and coaches to learn, teach and play football in a fun and safe environment. The Junior Dolphins program is designed to give kids access to learn the fundamentals of football using the NFL’s top resources. To grow the game, the Junior Dolphins program will work to educate coaches, parents and youth on the health and safety of football with a strong emphasis on character development. Junior Dolphins is building the next generation of Dolphins Fans.

Miami Dolphins make roster moves   Download PDF version

September 11, 2018

Miami Dolphins make roster moves

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed center Travis Swanson and released tight end Gavin Escobar.

Swanson played four seasons with Detroit (2014-17), appearing in 53 games with 42 starts. He signed as an unrestricted free agent with the N.Y. Jets on April 4, 2018 before being released on Aug. 31, 2018. He originally entered the NFL as a third-round pick (76th overall) by Detroit in the 2014 NFL draft.

Escobar originally joined the Dolphins as a free agent on April 16, 2018. He has played in 64 career games with seven starts for Dallas (2013-16) and Baltimore (2017). Escobar has 30 career receptions for 333 yards (11.1 avg.) and eight touchdowns. He’s also played in three playoff games with one start. Escobar originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick (47th overall) by Dallas in the 2013 NFL draft.

Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Birthdate Exp. College Hometown Acq.
Travis Swanson C 6-5 304 1/30/91 5 Arkansas ’14 Houston, Texas FA, ‘18
Miami Dolphins Name Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Assistant Coach Aaron Feis their George F. Smith High School Coach of the Year   Download PDF version

September 10, 2018

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#TeamWorkAtWork #JuniorDolphins #LetsPlayFootball #MSDStrong

Miami Dolphins Name Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Assistant Coach Aaron Feis their George F. Smith High School Coach of the Year

Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins announced Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Assistant Coach Aaron Feis as their George F. Smith High School Coach of the Year. Feis tragically lost his life protecting students during a mass shooting on February 14th. The Dolphins posthumously honored Aaron along with his wife, Melissa, and daughter, Arielle, on the field during their home opener against the Tennessee Titans. The Stoneman Douglas football team also were the Dolphins team of the week and had the opportunity to stand on the sideline during the national anthem.

“It’s an honor for all of us, really, for Coach Feis to get the Coach of the Year Award. If you knew him, you would appreciate that he got that award, because he really was a great man, mentor, friend and dad,” Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Head Football Coach Willis May said. “What a wonderful day for our kids and our program and we had a blast. We loved it and we can’t thank the Miami Dolphins enough for everything they’ve done for us since February 14th. We want to say thank you and how much we appreciate it and what they’ve done for our kids, it’s amazing.”

Feis 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. The winner will be announced at the 2019 Pro Bowl in Orlando.

This offseason, the Miami Dolphins have continued to support the Stoneman Douglas community and provide solace through sports. Outreach has included financial support to the victims and families of the shooting, visits with five survivors by Dolphins players, alumni and senior leadership, a free football clinic for Parkland youth, inviting seniors of the Stoneman Douglas football team and members of the Feis family to announce selections on day three of the 2018 NFL draft, an invitation for the Stoneman Douglas soccer teams to attend the Peru vs. Croatia match at Hard Rock Stadium, Stoneman Douglas T shirts worn by Dolphins players and staff that were also given to the Stoneman Douglas football team, inviting the Stoneman Douglas football team to a Miami Dolphins practice and attending the Stoneman Douglas football home opener vs. South Broward High School.

The Junior Dolphins program encourages youth players and coaches to learn, teach and play football in a fun and safe environment. The Junior Dolphins program is designed to give kids access to learn the fundamentals of football using the NFL’s top resources. To grow the game, the Junior Dolphins program will work to educate coaches, parents and youth on the health and safety of football with a strong emphasis on character development. Junior Dolphins is building the next generation of Dolphins Fans.