Miami Dolphins Host Fort Lauderdale High School, Gulliver Preparatory & Liberty City Optimist Football Teams at OTA Practices
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June 11, 2017
#LetsPlayFootball
***Photo/Video Credit: Miami Dolphins***
Ft. Lauderdale High School Photos/Video
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/i5bkoo3c7wt4t51/AAA1w-KiwSKqZWldUofrLolCa?dl=0
Gulliver Prep Photos/Video
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ly4b029vnzksedz/AADot-yW6-dm9QDR925J5rAxa?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/4aualncnclh08n9/060717%20-%20Gulliver%20Prep%20Broll.mp4?dl=0
Liberty City Optimist Photos/Video
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ly4b029vnzksedz/AADot-yW6-dm9QDR925J5rAxa?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/l6pw4no575k0i9n/060717%20-%20Liberty%20City%20Youth%20Broll.mp4?dl=0
Miami Dolphins Host Fort Lauderdale High School, Gulliver Preparatory & Liberty City Optimist Football Teams at OTA Practices
Davie, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins last week hosted the Fort Lauderdale High School, Gulliver Preparatory and Liberty City Optimist football teams at their Organized Team Activity (OTA) practices. The teams were given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard from both Miami Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel and Youth Programs Ambassador and Dolphins alum Twan Russell about character, leadership and overcoming adversity.
“To see the professionals to do it in practice and playing at almost game-like speed is so unreal,” Fort Lauderdale High School Head Football Coach Richard Dunbar said. “It kind of reiterates what we talk about at practice.”
“It was amazing. It was an outstanding experience. Players were engaged. Coaches felt like kids again watching a professional team out there execute,” Gulliver Preparatory Head Football Coach Earl Sims said. “We all just had a great experience.”
“It was electric. The kids were excited and even us as coaches were very excited,” Liberty City Optimist Head Football Coach George Harris said. “We’re going to take some of the criteria they’re using and implement it in our practice also.”
The three teams also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the athletes had lunch provided by Wendy’s.
“As a high school athlete, the moment was surreal,” Fort Lauderdale High School defensive end Emanuel Vilatoro said. “I look up to these guys. I see them on TV every Sunday. To see them practice and go through the motions and see what they do and their habits, [I will] take them back to school and implement them in my training and growth as a player.”
“When I was a child, I idolized Cameron Wake, and it was cool to see him up-close and personal,” Gulliver Preparatory defensive end D’Sean Perry said. “I picked up some of his technique, some of his hand placement, how fast he is around the ball, and it was very cool to see that.”
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.
Miami Dolphins sign Mathews
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June 8, 2017
Miami Dolphins sign Mathews
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed wide receiver Mitch Mathews.
Mathews was signed by Minnesota on March 30, 2017 but waived on May 30, 2017. He spent time on Cleveland’s practice squad in 2016 and originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with Kansas City on May 6, 2016. Mathews played collegiately at Brigham Young where he was a four-year letterman, playing in a total of 41 games. He recorded 152 receptions for 2,083 yards (13.7 avg.) and 24 touchdowns. As a senior in 2015, he led the team in yards per reception (13.6) and touchdowns (11).
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Mitch Mathews |
WR |
6-6 |
215 |
4/15/91 |
1 |
BYU ’16 |
Beaverton, Ore. |
FA, ‘17 |
Miami Dolphins Host Hollywood Hills High School Girl’s Flag & Doral Academy Preparatory Football Team at OTA Practice
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June 3, 2017
#LetsPlayFootball
***Photos/Video Credit: Miami Dolphins***
Photos/Video: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/pxvwlfyi8fh4j0l/AABByx3QMfKjg0lbLK4f9WEIa?dl=0
Miami Dolphins Host Hollywood Hills High School Girl’s Flag & Doral Academy Preparatory Football Team at OTA Practice
Davie, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins on Thursday, June 3 hosted the Hollywood Hills High School girl’s flag and Doral Academy Preparatory football team at their Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice. The team was given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard from Miami Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel about the importance of having good character and leadership.
“This has been such a great experience and the Dolphins have done so much to be able to connect them with the players they see on Sundays,” said Hollywood Hills High School Girl’s Flag Football Head Coach Brandon Graham. “Dolphins players really took time to speak to them, take pictures. I think that really showed them that a professional player really works hard, and he’s somebody just like me.”
“It’s exciting for our program, our kids to see the pros do it. They see how practice is run from a different point of view,” said Doral Academy Preparatory Head Coach Jase Stewart. “It’s just a great, all-around feeling for our kids to be part of this.”
The Hollywood Hills & Doral Academy teams also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the athletes had lunch provided by Wendy’s.
“We both play the same sport, and we love football. To actually see a team in a county that we live in, I think it was awesome,” said Hollywood Hills linebacker Kiara Samuel. “The linebackers were very locked down, very focused on the position, they communicated and it was a good experience to actually see somebody professionally play (the position).”
“What I learned from (Tom Garfinkel) was being competitive in life can get you far, because you fight for what you want,” said Doral Academy Preparatory wide receiver Natavius Payne. “He was also telling us leadership can get you far.”
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.
Miami Dolphins Rookies Participate in Rebuilding Together Service Project
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June 1, 2017
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Miami Dolphins Rookies Participate in Rebuilding Together Service Project
Fort Lauderdale – The Miami Dolphins rookie class participated in a Rebuilding Together Broward event at AMIkids of Greater Fort Lauderdale. AMIkids is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping youth develop into responsible and productive citizens.
“Our kids, they come from really tough neighborhoods. So to get the kids involved in these types of things and to get them excited about new opportunities, it’s really good for the kids,” AMIkids Case Worker Kamari Pasley said. “These kids don’t really have a lot to do outside of school. So to keep them active and keep them busy, it will keep them out of trouble and keep them in the right direction.”
The rookies worked together to beautify the AMIkids of Great Fort Lauderdale facility, assisting with revamping the kids’ lunch area, updating the basketball court, cleaning up debris and mulching.
“It feels good to be out here working for our community. Now that we are part of the Dolphins family, we’re part of this community. I’m just happy to get out and help,” second-round draft pick and Dolphins rookie linebacker Raekwon McMillan said.
“If you’re an NFL player, and you have a platform like we do in the league – why not use it for a good reason? Why not come out here and give back to the community,” fifth-round draft pick and Dolphins rookie guard Isaac Asiata said. “The Dolphins want to be involved, they want to give back to the fans, to Miami, to South Florida. And I want to be part of it.”
This marks the third time the rookie class has been active in the South Florida community since arriving in early May. Today’s project with Rebuilding Together marks the third time the Dolphins rookie class has worked over the years with the nonprofit and is part of a multi-year relationship with the Dolphins and Rebuilding Together to invest in the South Florida community.
“When the Dolphins come out, it’s amazing because we get so many strong guys to do a lot of work,” Rebuilding Together Broward Executive Director Robin Martin said. “But it also impacts everyone on multiple levels: the kids get to see the athletes are serving and giving back to the community as well as providing a tangible good. To see this many guys come out and knock out a project, it impacts all of us. As well as these young teens that really are at a crossroads in their life to get their life back on track. There’s so many role models out here today, it’s a long-lasting impact.”
Miami Dolphins Host Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School Football Team at OTA Practice
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May 30, 2017
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Miami Dolphins Host Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School
Football Team at OTA Practice
Davie, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today hosted the Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School football team at their Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice. The team was given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard from Miami Dolphins Youth Programs Ambassador and Dolphins alum Twan Russell about the importance of resiliency.
“Our kids’ eyes were lit up from the time we got on the bus until we arrived here. The team was smiling the whole day,” Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School Head Football Coach Tyronn Johnson said. “We started off going to the bubble and had a nice speech by Mr. Russell. We talked about teamwork and overcoming adversity. That hit home for us. We need some of that for our team.”
The Hialeah-Miami Lakes football team also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the Hialeah-Miami Lakes athletes had lunch provided by Wendy’s.
“It was very exciting. It made me want to get better,” Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School defensive end Desmond Young said. “I’m the same defensive end as them; I put my hand in the dirt. I learned a lot from them (like how) to get to that quarterback hard.”
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.
Miami Dolphins Host Hallandale High School Football Team at OTA Practice
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May 26, 2017
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Miami Dolphins Host Hallandale High School Football Team at OTA Practice
Davie, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins on Wednesday, May 25 hosted the Hallandale High School football team at their Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice. The team was given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard from Miami Dolphins Youth Programs Ambassador and Dolphins alum Twan Russell about the importance of teamwork and brotherhood.
“I think it was a great experience. We had an opportunity to get our kids out here to show them how the pros do it,” Hallandale High School Head Football Coach Herman Lovett said. “At the end of the day, I thank the Dolphins organization for blessing us to have this opportunity.”
The Hallandale football team also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the Hallandale athletes had lunch provided by Papa John’s.
“I got to meet a lot of the players and they showed me different things, and I’m going to reflect that on my playing style,” Hallandale High School linebacker/strong safety Michael Nesmith said. “I was talking to Kenny Stills, and he said that all it takes is grinding and dedication and never giving up as well.”
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.
Miami Dolphins sign Harris
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May 24, 2017
Miami Dolphins sign Harris
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed first-round pick Charles Harris. The team has now signed all seven of its 2017 draft picks.
Harris was Miami’s first-round pick (No. 22 overall) and a three-year letterman (2014-16) and two-year starter at Missouri. He played in 38 career games with 25 starts and recorded career totals of 136 tackles (80 solo), 18.0 sacks, five passes defensed, five forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. His 18 sacks are tied for seventh in school history and his 34.5 tackles for loss are tied for 11th. Harris earned second-team All-Southeastern Conference honors as a junior in 2016 and a sophomore in 2015. As a freshman in 2014, Harris helped the Tigers win the SEC East division.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Charles Harris |
DE |
6-3 |
260 |
3/6/95 |
R |
Missouri ’17 |
Kansas City, Mo. |
D1, ‘17 |
Miami Dolphins Host Miami Norland Senior High School Football Team at OTA Practice
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May 23, 2017
#LetsPlayFootball
***Photos/Video Credit: Miami Dolphins***
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Miami Dolphins Host Miami Norland Senior High School Football Team at OTA Practice
Davie, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today hosted the Miami Norland Senior High School football team at their first Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice. The team was given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard from Miami Dolphins Youth Programs Ambassador and Dolphins alum Twan Russell about mental toughness and having a positive mindset.
“I can’t thank the Dolphins organization enough for what they did for our team,” Miami Norland Senior High School Head Football Coach Daryle Heidelberg said. “Twan was right on point with some of the things that he was saying about the kids focusing on your goals and asking yourself, ‘Why are you doing what you’re doing?’ He really touched on mental toughness, which will take you a little further when your body starts to shut down. All eyes were glued in.”
The Norland football team also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the Norland athletes had lunch provided by Publix.
“I got a chance to experience new things. I saw one of my favorite players, Jarvis Landry. I got a chance to get up close and personal with the players,” Miami Norland Senior High School wide receiver Jamari Harrison said. “The receivers, they communicated really well. Their coaches expect a lot from them, so it’s just a good experience.”
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.
