Dolphins Cancer Challenge VII Sees Largest Participation in Event History to Raise Funds for Cancer Research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
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February 11, 2017
Dolphins Cancer Challenge VII Sees Largest Participation in Event History to Raise Funds for Cancer Research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Miami, FL – The Miami Dolphins capped another successful Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) today. The event is the NFL’s single largest fundraiser. The seventh edition of this annual community endeavor boasted more than 4,000 cancer fighters who biked, ran, walked and volunteered throughout all of South Florida with a goal to tackle cancer. The event culminated with a Concert Celebration at the stadium on the Hard Rock Stage by multiplatinum musicians the Counting Crows.
“We’re proud to have our largest turnout of participants in our seven-year history. The more fundraisers we have, the larger the donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for vital cancer research,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President & Executive Director of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge Jennifer Jehn said. “Today was a reflection of the Dolphins’ commitment to being a community steward. It is a pillar of our organization and with the community’s support – we’re making a difference.”
Participants in 2017 had the option of five bike routes, a 5k run/walk and attending the Concert Celebration. The DCC continues to solidify its position as the largest event fundraiser in the NFL. Participants included Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum and Head Coach Adam Gase, as well as Dolphins players and alumni such as Dan Marino, Ryan Tannehill, Isa Abdul-Quddus, Dick Anderson, Kim Bokamper, Jermon Bushrod, Bob Brudzinki, Sean Clancy, Chris Conlin, Bill Davis, John Denney, Kenyan Drake, Troy Drayton, Mark Duper, Neville Hewitt, Xavien Howard, Jelani Jenkins, Storm Johnson, Reshad Jones, Byron Maxwell, Nat Moore, Jordan Phillips, Twan Russell and Sam Young.
“We are so grateful and would like to thank everyone who participated in the DCC today,” Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., said. “It was inspiring to see so many people gather together to raise money for cancer research at Sylvester. Friends and families were cycling, running, walking or volunteering so we can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. With the funds raised at the DCC, we will continue to grow our research programs and translate new discoveries into personalized cancer treatments as quickly as possible. Our partnership with the Miami Dolphins enables us to do great things for the community now and in the future. We are forever thankful to the leadership of the DCC and everyone involved in it.”
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge will donate 100 percent of the participant-raised funds to innovative cancer research at Sylvester. Funds are still being collected through March 31, 2017. As the DCC’s beneficiary, the University of Miami’s Team Hurricanes had more than 800 participants which included Head Football Coach Mark Richt and players T.J. Callan, Romeo Finley, Jaquan Johnson, Diego Marquez, Tyreic Martin, Tyree St. Louis, Sunny Odogwu, Mark Walton, Cade Weldon, Cedrick Wright and Malek Young participating in the finish line celebration.
The event concluded at Hard Rock Stadium and culminated with a Concert Celebration on the Hard Rock Stage by multiplatinum musicians the Counting Crows performing in front of a crowd of more than 5,000.
The Dolphins Cancer Challenge will continue raising funds for cancer research with its second annual DCC Celebrity Golf Tournament on April 21, 2017. The tournament is another change for cancer fighters to golf and interact with athletes and other celebrity guests. One hundred percent of the funds raised from the golf tournament will benefit Sylvester.
For more information, visit www.DolphinsCancerChallenge.com.
Miami Dolphins and Citi Host Touchdowns for Good Event with Jay Ajayi and Chef Timon Balloo
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February 9, 2017
Miami Dolphins and Citi Host Touchdowns for Good Event with Jay Ajayi and Chef Timon Balloo
This season, Citi and the Miami Dolphins teamed up to fight childhood hunger one touchdown at a time. Every time the Dolphins scored a touchdown during a home game, Citi donated enough for No Kid Hungry to provide 20,000 meals for kids in need across Miami-Dade County and the United States. Thanks to a strong season from the Miami Dolphins, Citi donated enough for No Kid Hungry to provide nearly half a million meals. To celebrate the success of Touchdowns for Good, 30 kids who participate in local No Kid Hungry-supported programs were invited to spend the afternoon with Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and Sugarcane Chef Timon Balloo.
“I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Citi Touchdowns for Good program and help those in need right here at home and around the country,” Ajayi said. “Today, we were able to build upon the in-season success and show these kids the importance of staying active and eating healthy.”
To kick off the event, Ajayi and Dolphins alum Lousaka Polite led several football drills at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Following the on-field activities, the kids learned how to make a healthy yogurt parfait from Chef Balloo and No Kid Hungry Chef Ellen Damaschino. Each participant was then given the recipe and encouraged to make their own healthy snacks at home, using fresh fruits, granola and low-fat yogurt.
“Childhood hunger is a critical issue impacting one in four kids in Miami,” Citi Global Cards Senior Vice President Colleen Crawford said. “But through creative solutions, it’s a solvable issue, and we’re proud to have teamed up with the Dolphins and No Kid Hungry to make a real difference in the lives of children in this community.”
About Citi
Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management. Additional information may be found at www.citi.com |Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/citi
About Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins, owned by Chair of the Board & Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross, play in the AFC Eastern Division of the National Football League. The organization has played in five Super Bowls, winning championships following the 1972 (VII) and 1973 (VIII) seasons. The franchise also has won five conference championships and 13 division championships. It is the oldest continuous major-league professional sports franchise in the state of Florida. For more information, visit the organization’s website at dolphins.com
Miami Dolphins Statement on the Passing of Edwin Pope
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January 20, 2017
Miami Dolphins Statement on the Passing of Edwin Pope
Simply put, Edwin Pope was a giant in the South Florida landscape. In an era before talk radio and social media, he was the conscience and the voice of sports fans throughout Miami for more than a half century.
For generations, it became a daily ritual to wake up in the morning and immediately turn to Edwin’s column in the Miami Herald to get his take on the latest developments in the sports world. Whether he doled out criticism or praise, he did so fairly while offering his thoughts to the legions of his readers.
An unabashed civic booster, Edwin even played a huge role in Dolphins history, suggesting to team owner Joe Robbie that he should consider hiring a young coach in Baltimore to replace George Wilson by the name of Don Shula.
The South Florida community lost one of its greatest citizens. We want to express our condolences to his wife Eileen and the rest of his family.
Miami Dolphins Announce Coaching Changes
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January 19, 2017
Miami Dolphins Announce Coaching Changes
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced that Frank Bush has been hired as assistant head coach / linebackers coach, Darren Rizzi has been promoted to associate head coach / special teams coordinator and Chris Kuper has been promoted to assistant offensive line coach.
Bush has 32 years of NFL experience as a player, scout and coach. He spent the past four seasons as linebackers coach (2013-16) for the Los Angeles Rams and helped linebacker James Laurinaitis tally three 100-tackle seasons and set career highs with 3.5 sacks in 2013 and again in 2014. In 2016, linebacker Alec Ogletree had a career-best 136 tackles (98 solo) and tied his career highs with nine tackles for loss and two interceptions. The Rams allowed just 337.0 yards per game in 2016, the ninth-best mark in the NFL.
Bush began his NFL career as a fifth-round (133rd overall) selection of the Houston Oilers in the 1985 NFL draft. He started 11 games a rookie linebacker in 1985 but had to end his career in 1986 due to a career-threatening condition. He became a college scout for the Oilers in 1987 and moved into coaching in 1992, working with the team’s linebackers. Bush won two Super Bowls (XXXII and XXXIII) with the Denver Broncos (1995-2003). He also had stops in Arizona (2004-06), Houston (2007-10) and Tennessee (2011-12). Bush was the Texans’ defensive coordinator his final two seasons in Houston (2009-10).
Rizzi is the second longest-tenured coach on the Dolphins’ staff, having joined the team in 2009 as assistant special teams coach. He was promoted to special teams coach in 2010 and then special teams coordinator in 2011 before adding assistant head coach responsibilities in 2015. In 2016, Rizzi’s units blocked four kicks (three PATs and one punt), had three different touchdown returns (Jakeem Grant – punt, Kenyan Drake – kickoff, Walt Aikens – blocked punt) and had two players rank in the NFL’s top three for special teams tackles (Michael Thomas, T-1st, 19; Mike Hull, 3rd, 18). They also blocked a PAT that was returned for a 2-point conversion on Dec. 11, 2016 vs. Arizona, the first defensive 2-point conversion in team history. Miami had several top 10 special teams units, ranking No. 10 in field position following kickoffs, No. 8 in field position following kickoff returns and No. 3 in opponent gross punting average.
Kuper previously served as the team’s offensive quality control for the 2016 season where he primarily assisted with the offensive line. He helped the unit block for three 200-yard performances by running back Jay Ajayi, making Ajayi just the fourth NFL player to ever have three-plus 200-yard games in the same season. The offensive line also protected quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who posted the highest rating (93.5) and yards per attempt (7.70) of his five-year NFL career.
Dolphins Academy Hosted Dade vs. Broward Youth All-Star Games Presented by Broward College
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January 14, 2017
Dolphins Academy Hosted Dade vs. Broward Youth All-Star Games Presented by Broward College
Miami, FL – Miami Dolphins Youth Programs, in partnership with the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) and the Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA), today hosted Dade vs. Broward Youth All-Star Games presented by Broward College. The top youth football players from Miami-Dade and Broward County that play in the AYFL, FYFL, Great Miami Pop Warner, Gold Coast Pop Warner, Miami Xtreme as well as NYFL and YASL in age groups 7U-14U participated in games throughout the day. High school coaches from around the area coached the youth all-star teams, creating the opportunity for mentorship and development of the youth coaches.
“Following the success of the sixth Dade vs. Broward High School All-Star game, we were excited to continue the competition with extremely talented youth players from across South Florida,” said Miami Dolphins Senior Director of Youth Programs Twan Russell. “Having high school coaches leading today’s games continued to nurture the bond between the local high school and youth programs as well.”
Following each game, the winning team was awarded with a trophy, and players from both teams kept their game jerseys and were given a 2017 Dade vs. Broward All-Star t-shirt to commemorate their efforts.
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.
2017 Dolphins Dade vs. Broward Youth All-Star Game Winners
8U: Miami-Dade 12, Broward 6
9U: Miami-Dade 6, Broward 0
10U: Miami-Dade 13, Broward 6
11U: Broward 39, Miami-Dade 13
12U: Broward 18, Miami-Dade 12
13U/14U: Miami-Dade 36, Broward 8
Dade Takes Home Win Over Broward in Dolphins Academy High School All-Star Game Presented by Broward College
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January 13, 2017
Dade Takes Home Win Over Broward in Dolphins Academy High School All-Star Game Presented by Broward College
Miami, FL – Miami Dolphins Youth Programs, in partnership with the Greater Miami Athletic Conference (GMAC) and the Broward County Athletic Association (BCAA), continued a six-year tradition in hosting the Dade vs. Broward All-Star Football Game presented by Broward College.
Dade took home the victory in a score of 12-6 over Broward, with Kord Jenkins (RB – Miami Central) named as the Offensive MVP and Daniel Crescitelli (LB – Douglas) named as the Defensive MVP.
Stand-out high school seniors from Miami-Dade and Broward County were selected to participate in the event on Friday evening at Nathaniel Traz-Powell Stadium.
Dade Head Coach Tim Neal (Southwest Miami) shared his excitement in being named the 2017 Dade vs. Broward All-Star Champions presented by Broward College. “It feels great! Glad we had the opportunity. We made it a big deal. We haven’t won it in a couple of years and it was nice to have it back in Miami,” Neal said. “We had a good talent of kids and great coaches from the north and the south which made for a really good mix.”
Broward Head Coach Al Lang (Hollywood Hills) expressed his gratitude to the seniors who played hard this evening. “Their last high school game. This is something special that they can remember. They got the jerseys to keep as a souvenir. It meant a lot to them,” he said. “Defense played well. Just three days of practice is really tough, but we played hard. It was an honor. I was glad I was able to finish my career coaching these young men.”
The action continues on Saturday at Nathaniel Traz-Powell Stadium with the Dade vs. Broward Youth All-Star Game presented by Broward College starts at 9 a.m. The top youth football players from Miami-Dade and Broward County that play in AYFL, FYFL, Great Miami Pop Warner, Gold Coast Pop Warner, Miami Xtreme as well as NYFL and YASL in age groups 7U-14U will participate in games throughout the day. Top high school coaches from around the area will lead the youth football all-star teams, creating the opportunity for mentorship and development of the youth coaches. Admission is $10.
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.
Miami Dolphins Promote Burke
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January 12, 2017
Miami Dolphins Promote Burke
MIAMI – The Miami Dolphins today announced that Matt Burke has been promoted to defensive coordinator.
Burke served as the team’s linebackers coach during the 2016 season. Under his guidance, linebacker Kiko Alonso finished ninth in the AFC with 115 tackles (69 solo) and made many big plays that helped the Dolphins late in games. Alonso intercepted a pass and returned it for a 60-yard touchdown with 1:01 remaining to defeat San Diego in Week 10. He also assisted on a stop of 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick at the 2-yard line on the game’s final play to defeat San Francisco in Week 12.
Burke has eight years of NFL experience coaching linebackers, having served as the linebackers coach in Cincinnati (2014-15) and Detroit (2009-13). Previously he spent five seasons with Tennessee, where he served as an administrative assistant (2004-05) and defensive assistant/quality control coach (2006-08). In 2015, he helped the Bengals post the second-best scoring defense (17.4 points per game) in the NFL and force 28 turnovers, tied for sixth in the league. Burke also spent time coaching at Harvard (2003), Boston College (2002-03) and Bridgton Academy (1998-99) in Maine.
Miami Dolphins Ajayi and Landry Named to Pro Bowl
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January 11, 2017
Miami Dolphins Ajayi and Landry Named to Pro Bowl
MIAMI – The National Football League today announced that Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi and wide receiver Jarvis Landry have been named to the AFC Pro Bowl roster. They join defensive end Cameron Wake and defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who had previously been named to the Pro Bowl on Dec. 20, 2016.
Ajayi totaled 1,272 rushing yards, the third-most in a single season in Dolphins history and fourth-highest in the NFL in 2016. He became the fourth player in NFL history to have at least three 200-yard games in the same season. His three 200-yard games ranked No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6 on Miami’s single-game rushing chart. Ajayi is also the fourth player to ever have back-to-back 200-yard performances. From Week 6 through the end of the season, he led the NFL with 1,155 rushing yards and tied for the lead with 36 runs of 10 yards or more. Ajayi posted a 1,085 yard improvement from the 2015 season, the largest year-over-year gain in the league in 2016. The selection is the first in Ajayi’s career and he becomes the first Dolphins running back to earn a Pro Bowl bid since Ronnie Brown in 2008.
Landry posted his second consecutive 1,000-yard season with 94 receptions for 1,136 yards (12.1 avg.). His 94 receptions are second in team history behind the team record he set in 2015 of 110 catches. The 1,136 receiving yards are eighth-best in Dolphins history and 10th in the NFL in 2016. He also caught 26 passes on third downs, tied for seventh-most in the league. The Pro Bowl nod is the second of Landry’s career after he was also named to the team following the 2015 season.
It’s just the second time in Dolphins history they’ve had a 1,000-yard rusher and 1,000-yard receiver in the same season.
The selections of Landry and Ajayi mark only the sixth time in team history that a Dolphins wide receiver and running back were both selected to a Pro Bowl in a season. The other times were following the 1970-74 seasons when wide receiver Paul Warfield and running back Larry Csonka were selected each year and were also joined by running back Mercury Morris following the 1971-73 seasons.
Ajayi replaces Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy while Landry replaces Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green, both of whom are unable to participate due to injury.
The 2017 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 and simulcast live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Fans may visit NFL.com/ProBowlOnSale to purchase game tickets.
