07:52 Tue 11-03-09
The Miami Dolphins Community Relations and Youth Football departments were active Tuesday, November 3, 2009, hosting various events throughout the South Florida community.
The team partnered with local high schools to implement the NFL ATLAS & ATHENA Schools Program, a nationally-acclaimed initiative designed to promote healthy living and reduce the use of steroids and other drugs among high school athletes.
To launch this year's ATLAS & ATHENA program, student athletes and coaches from participating schools were trained at Land Shark Stadium today. This local opportunity was created as a result of a $2.8 million grant from the NFL Youth Football Fund to Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU). Miami Dolphins Chairman of the Board/Managing General Partner Stephen M. Ross, fellow NFL owners and the NFL Players Association all contribute to the NFL Youth Football Fund.
The ATLAS & ATHENA programs focus on nutrition and exercise as alternatives to drug use. The ATLAS program targets adolescent male athletes' use of anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, alcohol and other drugs and use of sport supplements, while improving healthy nutrition and exercise practices. ATHENA is designed to reduce disordered eating and use of body shaping and other drugs among young women, while promoting healthy nutrition and exercise. Dolphins' rookie defensive end Ryan Baker was on hand and spoke to participants about the importance of being involved in these programs.
The Community Relations Department was also out in full force, starting the morning with fullback Lousaka Polite speaking to approximately 125 third grade students about staying physically active and making healthy nutrition choices at Indian Trace Elementary in Weston as part of the Commit 2B Fit Program. Polite was joined by team mascot T.D. to take part in the program in which The Miami Dolphins Foundation is a sponsor of and is in 175 schools throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Additionally, The Miami Dolphins Foundation in partnership with Rooms To Go, handed out ultimate Dolphins kids rooms to various families that were selected from agencies including Neighbors 4 Neighbors, Broward County Schools and Habitat for Humanity of South Palm Beach County. Jeanette Sparano, Safety Yeremiah Bell, wide receiver Brian Hartline, tight end Joey Haynos, linebacker Reggie Torbor and Miami Dolphins cheerleaders participated in the event and helped furnish a special room for children in need at three different homes in Ft. Lauderdale, Dania and Delray Beach.