The Pahokee, Reagan, Stranahan and Varela high school football teams are going through spring practice with some new equipment thanks to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins. The three schools recently received a large amount of equipment from the Dolphins.
It was great to talk to @BisonofDoral and partner with @BaptistHealthSF to donate equipment for the @MiamiDolphins equipment donations. This is the 4th school out of the 10 selected or 2019. #TeamWorkAtWork #HuddleFor100 pic.twitter.com/k9JlmFXtJw
— Twan Russell (@TwanRussell) May 1, 2019
Varela received footballs, medicine balls, shoulder pads, a large fan, cleat and an end-zone camera to better record practice.
“It’s overwhelming because we’re doing our best to change the culture here to a winning culture and for the Dolphins to choose us, how gratifying is that?” said Varela head coach Patrick Ledan. “Because we weren’t expecting this. They did this out of the graces of their heart. Overwhelming is the word. It’s a lot of emotions and we will certainly put this opportunity to great use and capitalize off of it.”
At Pahokee High, the equipment donated included Junior Dolphins and Baptist Health branded shirts, a treadmill, a stationary bike, tackling dummies, sleds, cleats and Gatorade products.
“For me, this is something that dates back to when my father was playing football here, we never had the resources and all the proper equipment to be a successful football team. Still, we defied the odds,” said Pahokee High School head coach Demir Boldin, whose brother Anquan, a Pahokee alum, had a 14-year playing career in the NFL. “I think this donation will even out the playing field for our kids to better prepare them for college, to better prepare them for the game of football safely and it’s something that I’m very, very excited about.”
The mission of the Junior Dolphins program is to encourage youth players and coaches to teach, learn 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.
In all, ten Florida high schools will be helped this year.
This is the second year of the Junior Dolphins Equipment Donation program. In 2018, the Dolphins made donations to Miramar High School in May; Pompano Beach High School in July; Booker T. Washington in August; Spanish River High School, Key West High School, Marathon High School and Coral Shores High School in September; and Glades Central Community High School in November.
Great day with @BisonofDoral‘s football and flag football teams as we delivered new equipment with @BaptistHealthSF!#TeamworkAtWork #DolphinsHuddleFor100 pic.twitter.com/Oscnc15CrC
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) May 1, 2019
