---

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY

---

Instead of football helmets, more than 30 Miami Dolphins players donned racing helmets at K1 Speed in Hollywood for an afternoon of go-kart racing with foster teenagers aging out of the program today.

All of the kids were chosen to participate by representatives of HANDY, Inc., the organization responsible for placing them in foster homes and providing a nurturing environment for those still waiting. This was a chance for these teenagers to zip around the track with some of their idols and have some fun at the same time.

“I saw this go up on the board last week about an opportunity to race go-karts with the kids and it immediately sparked my interest so I knew I was going to be here,” said quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who showed up with his wife, Lauren. “Some of these kids have tough decisions and just to be able to go out and have some fun, do something different and something that we can both enjoy but neither one of us is a professional at was a good time.”

Cara Malave is the youth development services coordinator for HANDY Inc., and it was her job to keep the event a secret for as long as possible so the kids would be surprised. She only found out about last week and quickly saw how much the experience was paying off.

“The honest truth for these kids is that most of their families could never afford to do any of these kinds of activities,” Malave said. “So the generosity of the Miami Dolphins coming out, spending time with them and getting to know them, it’s a great eye-opener for the kids. It shows that the community cares about kids in South Florida that most people forget about so we’re thrilled that the Dolphins did this and means a lot to us, especially being a non-profit organization.”

Judging by the looks on the players’ faces, it meant just as much to them. The chance to have a little fun on a go-kart track was too much for this large group to pass up, which is why there was such an incredible turnout led by two of the three quarterbacks currently on the roster – Tannehill and Matt Moore.

Chas Alecxih, Chandler Burden, Dan Carpenter, Nolan Carroll, John Denney, Dannell Ellerbe, Brandon Fields, Nate Garner, Jonas Gray, Brian Hartline, John Jerry, Reshad Jones, Josh Kaddu, Jorvorskie Lane, Lamar Miller and Richard Marshall joined Jonathan Martin, Andrew McDonald, Koa Misi, Moore, Jared Odrick, Julian Posey, Mike Pouncey, Kheeston Randall, Josh Samuda, Derrick Shelby, Austin Spitler, Randy Starks, Tannehill, Marcus Thigpen, Olivier Vernon, Cameron Wake and Philip Wheeler on the track. They all were thrilled to be there for the cause.

“I guess it takes something like this to get grown men to come out and become kids again,” Pouncey said. “We’re just out here for a great cause because these kids are less fortunate and obviously we’re fortunate enough to be out here to bless these kids and hang out with them for a day. It just means the world to us to give back to these kids in this great community.”