MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins yesterday hosted the Boyd Anderson High School football team at their Organized Team Activity (OTA) practice. The team was given a tour of the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University and heard from Miami Dolphins Youth Programs Ambassador and alum Twan Russell about believing in oneself. The Boyd Anderson football team also had the opportunity to watch the Dolphins practice and meet with current players on the field. Following practice, the athletes had lunch provided by Publix.
"The kids got to see pro athletes doing what they want to do eventually. It was an eye opener for them," Boyd Anderson High School Head Football Coach Dorian Gray said. "Twan talked about how football takes sacrifice. It's not always about the biggest in the fight, but the person with the most heart. I'm hoping they take away that they have to have more heart playing this game."
"It was a great experience for me and my teammates to watch and see how practice is for them and how we should practice. Everything should be fast, everybody should clap up for anything – good, bad, first downs, all of that," Boyd Anderson High School junior wide receiver Jevon Louis said.
As part of the Miami Dolphins' commitment to the development of high school and youth football, the team will host high school teams from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties at the team's offseason practices. The team visits are a targeted effort to recognize, inspire and increase football participation through personal connections centered on the positive character building aspects of playing the game.
Photo gallery: Junior Dolphins | Boyd Anderson High School Visits OTAs
The Junior Dolphins program encourages 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. Junior Dolphins is building the next generation of Dolphins Fans.
This event is one of the DolphinsHuddlefor100 service projects as part of the NFL's 100th celebration. The NFL has invited fans, players, clubs and employees to join Huddle for 100, an effort to inspire 1 million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time to make meaningful contributions to their communities. These activities connect to the Miami Dolphins "Teamwork at Work" initiative to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. For more information on the NFL Huddle and to see volunteer opportunities with the Dolphins, visit **https://www.miamidolphins.com/community/specialteams**.