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MIAMI DOLPHINS HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK, DAN MARINO TO HOST THE 7th ANNUAL DAN MARINO FOUNDATION WALKABOUT AUTISM & EXPO, BROUGHT TO YOU BY WALGREENS, PRESENTED BY BADIA SPICES   Download PDF version

December 12, 2016

MIAMI DOLPHINS HALL OF FAME QUARTERBACK, DAN MARINO TO HOST THE 7th ANNUAL DAN MARINO FOUNDATION WALKABOUT AUTISM & EXPO, BROUGHT TO YOU BY WALGREENS, PRESENTED BY BADIA SPICES

MIAMI, FLORIDA – Momentum is building in the autism community for the much-anticipated 7th Annual Dan Marino Foundation (DMF) WalkAbout Autism & Expo, brought to you by Walgreens, presented by Badia Spices. On Saturday, January 21, 2017 from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m., Dan Marino, the Marino Family and The Dan Marino Foundation will once again transform Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, into a magical place where family, friends and loved ones will create memories that will last a lifetime.

The annual DMF WalkAbout Autism & Expo started in 2010 by The Dan Marino Foundation provides a powerful and inspiring platform for South Floridians to come together as a community in an effort to promote awareness, raise funds for innovative initiatives and advocate for the needs of people living with autism. Each year this epic event gathers close to 20,000 participants who walk together with an ultimate pursuit of inspiring the world to embrace autism acceptance.

The event has raised more than $3 million through the generous support of participants, donors, school, corporate and non-profit teams, as well as corporate sponsors. This year’s participating corporate sponsors include: Walgreens, Badia Spices, the Miami Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium, CenterPlate, Publix Super Markets, South Florida Ford, Greenspoon Marder, Chase, Panera Bread, Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, UPS, Nova Southeastern University and PepsiCo to name a few. As well as the Foundation’s media partners Comcast, Clear Channel Outdoor, iHeartMedia, Sun Sentinel Society Scene, Autism Notebook and Lifestyle Magazine.

Each year the Foundation strives to create an exceptional experience for the whole family to enjoy. Current and alumni Miami Dolphins players, cheerleaders, celebrities, elected officials, schools and families all come together for a day of family fun for everyone. The DMF WalkAbout starts with a community friendly carnival-like celebration, followed by a walk that is led by Marino Campus students and members of the autism community who rally together to encourage awareness. After the walk participants will enjoy a resource Expo, compliments of South Florida Ford with more than thirty exhibitors and vendors, as well as musical entertainment from local school bands. Kids will have the opportunity to enjoy countless interactive activities in the children’s corner. There will be several booths focused on health and fitness compliments of Walgreens. Festivities also include the Publix Hospitality Village featuring a delicious food and beverage sampling extravaganza compliments of Badia Spices, PepsiCo, CenterPlate and The Produce Connection.

“Claire and I look forward to the walk every year, coming together to celebrate with our community. Everyone from the sponsors to the walk teams made up of schools, companies and individuals make this event one of a kind. By working together to raise awareness, the WalkAbout Autism creates a fun day at Hard Rock Stadium for everyone to enjoy,” said Dan Marino, Chairman of The Dan Marino Foundation.

The Dan Marino Foundation is grateful to all who support this special day. Proceeds raised through the DMF WalkAbout Autism & Expo stay in our local community and help fund The Dan Marino Foundation’s initiatives such as Marino Campus in Fort Lauderdale, and at FIU in Miami-Dade. The event also benefits autism programs and services in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach County Schools, as well as non-profit autism service providers who participate with WalkAbout Teams. Last year our Top Three Fundraising School Teams included Cypress Bay High School, Blue Lake K-8, and Sandpiper Shores Elementary.

There are many ways to participate in the 7th Annual #DMFWalk and become an autism champion. You can start a walk team in honor of a loved one living with autism, fundraise for your school or non-profit autism program, become a corporate sponsor, or register for the Expo. In addition, there are volunteer opportunities available for anyone who is interested in getting involved. For more information on ways to participate, please visit dmfwalkaboutautism.org.

About The Dan Marino FoundationThe Dan Marino Foundation, Inc., a 501(c) 3 organization was established by Dan and Claire Marino, motivated by their experiences in raising their son, Michael, who is diagnosed with autism. For over 25years, the Foundation has been a leader in innovation and change, “empowering individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities.” The Foundation has raised more than $53 million to create unique and impactful initiatives in the community. Among these first-of-their-kind initiatives are the Nicklaus Children’s Hospital Dan Marino Outpatient Center, the Marino Autism Research Institute, Marino Adapted Aquatics, Summer STEPS Employment Programs, Virtual Interactive Training Agent Program (ViTA DMF), and now post-secondary programs at both Marino Campus in Broward and at FIU in Miami-Dade. For more information, please visit danmarinofoundation.org or marinocampus.org or vitadmf.org.

Miami Dolphins Announce Week 14 Youth Programs Awards With Partner Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)   Download PDF version

December 7, 2016

***Photo Credit: Miami Dolphins***

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Miami Dolphins Announce Week 14 Youth Programs Awards With Partner Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE)

Miami – The Miami Dolphins and the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE) recognize the Week 14 youth football players, coach and parent who have demonstrated their commitment to being leaders on and off the field:

  • High School Player of the Week: Mike Epstein from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. The senior running back rushed for over 100 yards and had four touchdowns last week as he helped the Raiders advance to another state final. What’s even more impressive is that Epstein is playing at such a high level after missing his entire junior season due to an ACL tear. Congratulations to Mike Epstein and the entire St. Thomas team for advancing to the State Championship.
  • High School Coach of the Week: Patrick Surtain from American Heritage High School. Surtain was a standout cornerback for the Miami Dolphins from 1998-2004. In his first year as a head coach, Surtain has earned a birth to the State Championship.
  • Youth Player of the Week: Brody Palhegyi from the Plantation Wildcats 13U of the American Youth Football league. Palhegyi threw three touchdown passes and led his team to a 40-22 victory over the South Miami Grey Ghosts, ending their three-year undefeated streak.
  • Team Mom of the Week: Andrea Reid from the Boca Braves of the Gold Coast Pop Warner football league. Reid is an attorney by the day and team mom by night. She is not your ordinary team mom, but is what the team calls “a youth football and cheer handy woman.” Need a volunteer? She’s there. Need good volunteers? She’ll find them. Need donations and funding? She’ll get it. Outside of Pop Warner, Reid a member of the Executive Council for the Florida Bar Family Law Section and serves on numerous committees within the organization. She also is a former secretary for the Florida Association for Women Lawyers and Domestic Violence Council of Palm Beach County and an Angel Mom for the Place of Hope at the Haven, whose mission is to rescue abused and neglected children.

Each award recipient will be presented with a plaque on the field during the Dec. 11 Dolphins home game at Hard Rock Stadium against the Arizona Cardinals, and receive acknowledgement of their accomplishment in the game program and through the Dolphins’ and RISE’s social media platforms. They also will receive a pair of tickets to a Miami Dolphins home game and a Dolphins/RISE T-shirt.

As a newly added component of the program and part of the Dolphins/RISE partnership, winners will be empowered to make a difference by participating in a RISE training program where they will learn how to use the unifying power of sport to promote the importance and benefits of unity, equality and inclusiveness as well as address racial tensions their teams, schools and communities might experience.

Awardees also will be encouraged to take a pledge, committing to stand up to racial inequality and share how they plan to affect change by creating a “How I RISE” video message, which will be posted on RISEtoWIN.org.

About Miami Dolphins Youth Programs

The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ mission is to emphasize the importance of education, physical fitness and positive choices for kids in a safe and fun environment. The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ vision is to prepare the next generation of leaders in staying physically active through our Junior Training Camps (JTC), Youth Football Clinics and Youth Football Camps. The goal is to promote Youth Football in the South Florida community.

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 nonprofit organization dedicated to harnessing the unifying power of sports to advance race relations and drive social progress. Supported by an unprecedented alliance of sports leagues, organizations, educators, media networks, sports professionals and athletes, 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.

Miami Dolphins Visit Baptist Children’s Hospital Visit   Download PDF version

December 6, 2016

Image Credit: MIAMI DOLPHINS

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Miami Dolphins Visit Baptist Children’s Hospital Visit

Miami, Fla. – Miami Dolphins players Brandon Doughty, Thomas Duarte, Dominique Jones, Kenny Stills and Laremy Tunsil, cheerleaders Britt, Jess and Stephanie, and mascot T.D. spent their day off visiting patients at Baptist Children’s Hospital.

“We’re glad to partner with the Dolphins organization and welcome them to Baptist Children’s Hospital year after year.  They are truly committed to helping make the holidays a bit brighter for our patients,” Baptist Children’s Hospital Director of Nursing Lourdes Castaneda said. “Our kids and their families love the visit!”

The group distributed gifts of teddy bears, coloring books, bibs, pennants and T-Shirts, took photos with patients and signed autographs.

“These kids are very tough. They’re going through a lot right now,” Tunsil said. “Just to be here to put a smile on these kids’ faces, it means a lot to us.”

Miami Dolphins Waive Harris   Download PDF version

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have waived tackle Bryce Harris.

Harris joined the Dolphins on Nov. 21, 2016, when he was awarded off waivers from Jacksonville. He was inactive on Dec. 4, 2016 at Baltimore and did not play on Nov. 27, 2016 vs. San Francisco. Harris previously spent six weeks on the Jaguars’ active roster in 2016 but did not appear in a game. He has played 35 games with four starts over four NFL seasons with the New Orleans Saints (2012-14) and the Atlanta Falcons (2015) and originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent on April 30, 2012 with the Falcons.

Miami Dolphins Promote Scott   Download PDF version

December 1, 2016

Miami Dolphins Promote Scott

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have promoted wide receiver Rashawn Scott off the practice squad to the team’s active roster.

Scott has spent the first 12 weeks of the season on the Dolphins’ practice squad after he was originally signed by the team as an undrafted college free agent on May 5, 2016. He was a four-year letterman at the University of Miami, where he played in 32 career games with 11 starts. At Miami, Scott caught 91 passes for 1,247 yards (13.7 avg.) and eight touchdowns. His best season was in 2015 as a senior, when he recorded career highs with 52 receptions for 695 yards (13.2 avg.) and five touchdowns.

Name Pos. Hgt. Wgt. Birthdate Exp. College Hometown Acq.
Rashawn Scott WR 6-2 204 1/29/92 R Miami (Fla.) ’16 Melbourne, Fla. FA, ‘16
Miami Dolphins Waive Orr   Download PDF version

November 30, 2016

Miami Dolphins Waive Orr

MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have waived defensive tackle Leon Orr.

Orr played in five games this season for the Dolphins and registered one solo tackle. He was signed to the Dolphins’ practice squad on Sept. 20, 2016 and promoted to the active roster on Oct. 12, 2016. Orr spent the 2015 campaign with the Oakland Raiders, where he spent the majority of the season on the practice squad but played in three games and made two tackles (one solo). He originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with the Raiders on May 8, 2015.

Dolphins Cancer Challenge Finish Line Celebration to Include Concert with Multiplatinum Musicians Counting Crows   Download PDF version

November 29, 2016

Dolphins Cancer Challenge Finish Line Celebration to Include Concert with Multiplatinum Musicians Counting Crows

Miami – Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) today announced multiplatinum musicians Counting Crows will headline the DCC VII Finish Line Celebration on February 11, 2017 at Hard Rock Stadium. General admission tickets are on sale now at DolphinsCancerChallenge.com for $32. Proceeds from the Concert Celebration on the Hard Rock Stage will be part of the gift given to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami. Since its inception, the DCC has raised more than $16.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester.

“Cancer touches everyone and we’re excited to join the Dolphins in their fight to tackle cancer,” Counting Crows lead vocalist Adam Duritz said. “We will be there rocking Hard Rock Stadium for all those who ride, run, walk, volunteer and fundraise for cancer research.”

“We are excited to add the Counting Crows concert to the event festivities at the Dolphins Cancer Challenge on February 11,” Miami Dolphins President & CEO Tom Garfinkel said. “One hundred percent of the fundraising goes to fight cancer.  You don’t have to have cancer to fight cancer.”

DCC VII weekend will commence with the Kickoff Party on Friday, Feb. 10, followed by the DCC signature event on Saturday Feb. 11 that will include five bike routes through South Florida, a run/walk 5K, a Concert Celebration on the Hard Rock Stage as well as the addition of 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. All routes for DCC VII lead to Hard Rock Stadium.

More information on all of the activities associated with the DCC can be found at DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.

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 $16.5 million, donating 100 percent of participant-raised funds to Sylvester. For additional information, please visit DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.

About Counting Crows

Adam Duritz (vocals), Jim Bogios (drums), David Bryson (guitar), Charlie Gillingham (keyboards), David Immergluck (guitar), Millard Powers (bass) and Dan Vickrey (guitar) – have sold more than 20 million albums worldwide after exploding onto the music scene with their multiplatinum breakout album August and Everything After in 1993. The band released its seventh studio album Somewhere Under Wonderland in September 2014. Known for creating unique and innovative concerts, the band is consistently ranked as one of the top live bands performing today.

Miami Dolphins in the Community: Dolphins Blitz at Lakeside Elementary   Download PDF version

November 29, 2016

Image Credit: MIAMI DOLPHINS

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Miami Dolphins in the Community: Dolphins Blitz at Lakeside Elementary

Pembroke Park, Fla. — The Dolphins on Tuesday, Nov. 29 hosted a Dolphins Blitz at Lakeside Elementary.

“Even if it’s just 60 minutes a day, just getting out there doing physical activity, that’s what keeps you healthy and keeps kids bright and active. We’re trying to encourage that,” Miami Dolphins S Michael Thomas said. “Every time I get a chance to give back I always do it.”

Thomas, along with Dolphins WR Kenny Stills and OL Sam Young, alumni Lousaka Polite, Troy Drayton and Twan Russell and cheerleader Kristan hosted students in a Gatorade Junior Training Camp as they participated in several fitness orientated stations and learn the benefits of hydration and staying physically active.

“We are having a great time. The boys and girls are so inundated with standards and math, reading and science. Just to come out, relax and have their brain working in another way is amazing. They’re having a blast,” Lakeside Elementary Principal Cathy May said. “The Dolphins being here has been amazing for our community. The kids are going to go home and talk about this for a very long time.”

The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ mission is to emphasize the importance of education, physical fitness, and positive choices for kids in a safe and fun environment. The Miami Dolphins Youth Programs’ vision is to prepare the next generation of leaders in staying physically active through our Junior Training Camps (JTC), Youth Football Clinics, and Youth Football Camps. The goal of the event is to promote Youth Football in the south Florida community.