Miami Dolphins Surpass $1M Goal to Support Minority-Owned Restaurants Through Food Relief Program
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February 22, 2021
Image Credit: Miami Dolphins
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Miami Dolphins Surpass $1M Goal to Support Minority-Owned Restaurants Through Food Relief Program
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins announced today that they have surpassed their $1 million goal to directly impact local minority-owned restaurants through the food relief program.
“When we started this program last June, we wanted to be intentional in supporting minority-owned businesses to combat food insecurity, provide consistent resources and keep their doors open during the pandemic,” said Tom Garfinkel, Miami Dolphins Vice Chairman and CEO. “We are proud to have exceeded our goal and remain committed to supporting small businesses and people in need right here in our backyard in Miami Gardens.”
On June 1, 2020, Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross and the Miami Dolphins Foundation announced a multi-million-dollar major-gift commitment through the Miami Dolphins Foundation for providing jobs and nutrition on a sustained and long-term basis through the Miami Dolphins Food Relief Program. The year-long commitment has provided 1,000 meals each day prepared by Centerplate and local minority-owned restaurants to combat food insecurity. Now in February, the $1 million goal has been surpassed with four months remaining in the program.
“Lorna’s Caribbean, along with others, has experienced some financially difficult times in this pandemic,” said Matari & Ruth Bodie and Lorna Westmoreland, Owners of Lorna’s Caribbean & American Grill. “Through the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program we were able to stay afloat as well as provide meals for the less fortunate in Miami Gardens. We are very appreciative and proud to be a part of this great experience with the Dolphins. We appreciate this opportunity to introduce our restaurant to a whole new audience. May you continue your support of Lorna’s Caribbean and American Grille as well as the beautiful city of Miami Gardens.”
“The Miami Dolphins are a first-class organization led by Owner Stephen Ross who is a pillar in our community,” said Shawn Flowers & Danielle Perry, Owners of Reggae Beets Gourmet Food Truck. “Mr. Ross has been a huge blessing to the South Florida community as he has led by example on how to give back. His philanthropic efforts are unmatched as he sets the standard for helping both small businesses and those feeling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Time and time again the Miami Dolphins have come in clutch with their Food Relief Program and we couldn’t be more honored to be a part of it. In these uncertain times when so many families are in need, being able to help provide heart-healthy meals to the community is a huge blessing. It truly warms our hearts to see the smiles of so many faces when we are out in the community delivering #DolphinsMeals and this is all made possible by Mr. Ross, we are so thankful for his generosity and we are forever grateful for the entire Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program for allowing us to be a part of such an amazing initiative.”
“I am a second-generation Miami native originally from Overtown but raised in Liberty City,” said Herbert Coleman, Co-Owner and Chef of SEED Miami. “As far back as I can remember the Dolphins have been a first-class organization. I must say that Mr. Ross and his team have taken this to another level. The support that he has committed to the urban community and small businesses have been nothing shy of a miracle during this heartbreaking pandemic. This amazing partnership with the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program was our saving grace. So many small businesses have not been able to survive in this challenging time. This pandemic has been a test for us all, rich, poor and everyone in between. Partnering with the Dolphins has allowed us to maintain our business and our employees. It has always been our prayer to be blessed and to be a blessing. Our partnership with the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program has allowed us to do exactly that. We have been able to be of service to thousands of wonderful people from West Palm to Florida City. In addition, we have had the privilege to meet some real community service heroes that pour their heart and soul into making sure that others are being taken care of day by day. Our humble thanks again to the Miami Dolphins organization, Stephen Ross and Tom Garfinkel for the Food Relief Program being a beacon of light in the darkness. People do not care how much you know until they know how much you care.”
“Collaborating with the Miami Dolphins Food Relief Program has helped both my community as well as my staff,” said Rolanda Benjamin, Owner of Lovely’s On The Go. “It has helped to bring nutritious healthy meals to members of our community who otherwise wouldn’t have had access to food which could ultimately lead to food insecurity. With regards to my staff, it has helped to ensure they are able to continue to financially support their families during a time when layoffs are prevalent. We are grateful for the opportunity to work directly with Mr. Ross’ outstanding organization with a special note that his staff is by far top-rated. We look forward to a continued partnership.”
Ross and the organization initially invested $2 million in the Miami Dolphins Foundation Food Relief Program. The program received a $1 million gift from the Lennar Foundation and has worked to raise an additional $1 million from the South Florida community and Miami Dolphins fans worldwide that Ross will match for a potential $5 million total impact. Individuals and businesses that wish to participate in the match program can donate online at dolphins.com/meals.
Miami Dolphins sign Sanders to contract extension
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February 16, 2021
Miami Dolphins sign Sanders to contract extension
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed kicker Jason Sanders to a contract extension through the 2026 season.
Sanders is the franchise’s all-time career leader in field goal percentage (86.5), converting 77-of-89 attempts. In 2020, Sanders earned first-team All-Pro honors after tying the franchise’s single-season points record (144). His 36 field goals made in 2020 were second in the NFL and second in Dolphins history, and his 92.3 field goal percentage was a single-season team record. Sanders originally entered the NFL as a seventh-round pick (229th overall) by Miami in the 2018 NFL draft.
Miami Dolphins sign Tom to futures contract
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February 3, 2021
Miami Dolphins sign Tom to futures contract
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced that they have signed center Cameron Tom to a reserve/futures contract.
Tom spent four seasons (2017-20) with New Orleans. He spent most of the 2020 season on the practice squad and was elevated to the active roster for one game. In 2019, Tom missed the entire season on injured reserve. He played in 11 games with one start in 2018 and spent most of the 2017 season on the active roster but did not appear in a game. Tom originally entered the NFL as an undrafted college free agent with New Orleans on May 8, 2017.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Cameron Tom |
C |
6-4 |
300 |
6/21/95 |
4 |
S. Mississippi ’17 |
Baton Rouge, La. |
FA, ‘21 |
Miami Dolphins sign Bonds to futures contract
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January 26, 2021
Miami Dolphins sign Bonds to futures contract
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced that they have signed cornerback Terrell Bonds to a reserve/futures contract.
Bonds played in four games with one start for Baltimore in 2020, totaling five solo tackles and one solo special teams stop. He spent the entire 2019 season on Baltimore’s practice squad and also played for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football in the spring of 2019. A Miami native, Bonds was a four-year letterwinner at Tennessee State (2014-17). He attended Miami Central Senior High School, where he helped the Rockets win the 2013 Class 6A FHSAA state championship as a senior.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Terrell Bonds |
CB |
5-8 |
182 |
7/22/96 |
2 |
Tennessee St. ’18 |
Miami, Fla. |
FA, ‘21 |
Miami Dolphins make changes to coaching staff
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January 23, 2021
Miami Dolphins make changes to coaching staff
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced that they have named Charlie Frye quarterbacks coach. The team has parted ways with quarterbacks coach Robby Brown.
Frye joins the Dolphins after spending the past two seasons (2019-20) as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Central Michigan. In 2020, Frye led a Chippewas offense that finished third in the Mid-American Conference in rushing (218.2 yards per game). In his first season as offensive coordinator in 2019, he helped Central Michigan win the MAC West Division and lead the conference with 6,070 total yards. Frye played five seasons in the NFL for Cleveland (2005-07), Seattle (2008) and Oakland (2009) and started 23 games at quarterback.
Brown was hired as Miami’s quarterbacks coach in 2020 after spending the 2019 season at West Virginia, where he was special assistant to the head coach and senior offensive analyst. Brown also spent four seasons with the New York Jets (2015-18) where he served as an offensive quality control coach (2015-16) and defensive assistant (2017-18).
Miami Dolphins make changes to coaching staff
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January 19, 2021
Miami Dolphins make changes to coaching staff
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced that they have promoted Lemuel Jeanpierre to offensive line coach. The team has parted ways with offensive line coach Steve Marshall.
Jeanpierre (pronounced leh-mew-ELL zhon-pee-AIR) just finished his first season with the Dolphins as assistant offensive line coach. He joined Miami following two seasons (2018-19) as an assistant offensive line coach for Oakland. Jeanpierre began his coaching career as an offensive assistant for Seattle in 2017. He played six NFL seasons with Seattle (2010-15), helping the Seahawks win Super Bowl XLVIII. He also spent time as a player with Kansas City (2010) and Detroit (2016).
Marshall joined the Dolphins for the 2020 season, his 11th as an NFL coach. He came to Miami after serving as the offensive line coach for the Memphis Express of the Alliance of American Football in 2019. Marshall had NFL experience coaching for the N.Y. Jets (2015-17), Green Bay (2014), Cleveland (2007-08) and Houston (2002-05). He’s made 12 stops at college programs, with his most recent NCAA stint coming at New Mexico State in 2013.
Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee and Lennar Foundation Join to Sponsor Florida Memorial University Certificate Program in Construction Trades
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January 14, 2021
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Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee and Lennar Foundation Join to Sponsor Florida Memorial University Certificate Program in Construction Trades
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee announced that they have joined the Lennar Foundation to fund Florida Memorial University’s Certificate Program in Construction Trades. This program, the first of its kind at a Historically Black College in Florida, will play a key role in economic empowerment by providing equitable access for minorities in South Florida through employment in the construction business. Tuition, along with meals and transportation, will be free for all participants in this 12-month certification program. The donation is in collaboration with Miami Dolphins players, the organization, the Lennar Foundation and a NFL Foundation social justice grant. Participants can register for the program at www.fmuniv.edu/trade.
“We are excited to partner with the Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee and Lennar Foundation to launch the FMU Construction Trades Certificate Program,” said Dr. Jaffus Hardrick, President, Florida Memorial University. “This program will provide residents in underserved communities throughout Miami-Dade, Miami Gardens and Opa Locka the opportunity to develop career skills to help fill the talent gaps in the construction industry.”
FMU’s Certificate Program in Construction Trades will work with the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and Associated Builders and Contractors Institute (ABC) to develop curriculum, lab material, transportation, and industry-recognized credentials. Upon completion of the program, participants will have the ability to receive several certifications including OSHA 10, NCCER Blue Card, NCCER Level 1 and a Program Completion Certificate from ABC will receive a certification in an Electrical, HVAC or Plumbing trade.
“The thing I love about this program is that it gives people an opportunity, and in some cases, a second chance,” said Dolphins player Patrick Laird. “Most people want a job and the ability to provide for themselves, not a handout. This program can give someone a great start to a lifelong career where they can become their own boss.”
“In many parts of America, people aren’t afforded the opportunity to grow up in neighborhoods with well-funded school, effective after school programs, or economic opportunities,” said Dolphins player Byron Jones. “This program fills the gap that many people of underserved communities fall into. Whether you’re a high school dropout or have a criminal history, this program gives people a chance to develop career skills that will change their lives for the better.”
“The Lennar Foundation is honored to partner with the Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee in sponsoring the Residential Construction Skills Certification Program at Florida Memorial University. We know that such training can not only lead to a career that averages compensation of over $51,000 a year but can also lead to owning one’s own company. Many of Lennar’s current Trade Partners started as skilled laborers themselves.” noted Marshall Ames, Chairman of the Lennar Foundation.
The Miami Dolphins Social Impact Committee was formed by players to positively impact civic engagement, education and economic empowerment. Previously, the committee donated $100,000 to the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Fines and Fees program, which assists returning citizens who have outstanding fees to complete their sentences and become eligible to vote. In addition, the committee gave $300,000 to public schools in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties to bridge the digital divide and assist with wireless technology for underserved students.
Miami Dolphins sign Scarlett to futures contract
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January 12, 2021
Miami Dolphins sign Scarlett to futures contract
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins today announced they have signed running back Jordan Scarlett to a reserve/futures contract.
Scarlett played in nine games with Carolina in 2019, totaling four carries for nine yards (2.3 avg.) and one solo special teams tackle. He originally entered the NFL as a fifth-round pick (154th overall) by Carolina in the 2019 NFL draft. Scarlett spent part of the 2020 season on Detroit’s practice squad. Prior to entering the NFL, he played collegiately at Florida. A Fort Lauderdale, Florida native, Scarlett attended St. Thomas Aquinas and University School.
| Name |
Pos. |
Hgt. |
Wgt. |
Birthdate |
Exp. |
College |
Hometown |
Acq. |
| Jordan Scarlett |
RB |
5-11 |
210 |
2/9/96 |
2 |
Florida ’19 |
Fort Lauderdale, Fla. |
FA, ‘21 |
