41st Annual Miami dolphins Award Night

On Thursday evening May 3^rd, 2007, the Miami Dolphins held their 41^st annual Awards night under the cover of their Davie, Florida indoor practice facility. Although it’s an event to recognize members of the Dolphin franchise, it also recognizes achievers of the community for their outstanding works and contributions. Kicking off with dinner and the opportunity for Dol-Fans to meet and mingle with players, this sold out event attracted Dol-Fans that flew in from all parts of the country.

Opening with a performance by the Dolphin cheerleaders, Jimmy Cefalo and Kenny Walker jumped into the evening as this years award show hosts by calling out and introducing the entire 2007 coaching staff and players. The electricity of lights, cameras, music and the roaring applause of the crowd filled the facility as, one by one, each coach and player crossed the stage as this years Dolphin team.

As a franchise that prides itself on character and an outpour of service to its community, it was only fitting to begin the awards with the recognition of South Florida’s outstanding citizens. An amazing group of individuals, this years recipients of the Community Service Awards, presented by wide receiver Chris Chambers, were handed to Jerry Gordon, Cedric Hooper, and an amazing 10 year old by the name of Eddie Hurowitz. At the age of 10, Eddie wrote a grant requesting art supplies for a homeless shelter that he volunteers at in an attempt to bring art to the homeless children of South Florida. Of the numerous grants written in this year, Eddie’s was chosen as the best.

Also recognized at this event were a number of high school players of the week and this year’s outstanding player of the year. A High School Coach of the Year was recognized aside from the Coaches of the Week that were announced. Then Dolphins Linebacker Zach Thomas presented the Junior Courage Award to Ronald Jackson, a young gentleman that took heart and displayed strength among his teammates after the loss of his mother. All-in-all, this years individually recognized community members were an outstanding example of great character and extraordinary achievement.

Following the community awards, the ceremony moved forward by the individual recognition and appearance of the 2007 Miami Dolphins Draft class. Beginning with the introduction of their final pick in the seventh round and moving in reverse each individual was recognized as he took the stage. Seventh round, sixth round, fourth round and through quarterback John Beck taken 40^th overall in the second round. Each of these individuals took the stage. All except the first round draft pick Ted Ginn, Jr., who remained absent from the stage after Randy Mueller announced his name, introducing the Miami Dolphins #1 draft pick of 2007.

Moving into the main events of the evening, John Offerdahl was introduced to the stage as the presenter of the 2006 Don Shula Leadership Award. Offerdahl, drafted in the second round in 1986, was a five time Pro Bowler out of Western Michigan University who played his entire career with the Dolphins from 1986 to 1993. The Don Shula Leadership Award is an award voted on by Dolphin players to recognize individuals that display leadership on and off the field. This year’s recipient was defensive end Jason Taylor, accepting the accolade for the second time (2002) in his career as a Miami Dolphin. Taylor took the opportunity in front of the podium to express his congratulations to all the recipients of this years community awards. He then proceeded to give his thanks to teammates, expressing his gratitude for their hard work and dedication to the organization.

The Nat Moore Community Service Award was presented next by none other than Nat Moore himself. Nat Moore was a wide receiver drafted in the third round of the 1974 draft by the Miami Dolphins. He spent his entire 13-year career from 1974 to 1986 with the team and is well known for his humanitarian services. He is the creator of The Nat Moore Foundation for disadvantaged youth in Miami-Dade County founded in 1998. This year he presented the Community Service Award to Safety Renaldo Hill. In 2003, Renaldo founded the “Top of the Hill Foundation,” an organization helping 11-17 year old orphans. He went to eight High Schools this past year for R.A.P. (Reaching and Accessing People) sessions, teaching Student Athletes about peer pressure, academics, family life, personal/school balance, and life after school. In Liberty City, Renaldo held a Back-to-School Program where he provided 21 children with backpacks, uniforms, and other school necessities. In the 2006 year he also held a Ticket Giveaway for the YMCA, visited a local school every week of the NFL season, built a home with Habitat for Humanity, provided food baskets or Thanksgiving Dinner to needy families, and provided clothes and toys to 21 families during Christmas.

The final Award of the evening was the Dan Marino Most Valuable Player Award, and although Marino himself wasn’t able to be present to present the award, Bob Griese was given the honor. The No. 1 draft choice in 1967, Bob Griese is a name that any true football fan would recognize. In his career as a Miami Dolphin, Griese led his team to three AFC titles and two Super Bowl wins. This year, Bob Griese was pleased to award the Dan Marino MVP Award to Jason Taylor, who was honored to be the recipient of two awards for this past season. Taylor lead his teams with 13.5 sacks this past season, he also recovered nine fumbles, and returned two interceptions for touchdowns, increasing his career touchdowns to seven. The Dolphins won all seven of his touchdown scoring games. Taylor also broke the 100 career sack plateau this season, was elected into the Pro Bowl, and received the NFL Player of the Year Award, only the third Dolphin to ever receive this honor. Since his draft in the 3^rd round in 1997, the Dolphins have ranked near the top in overall defense. A leader off the field, in the locker room, and on the field, Jason Taylor received hardy applause as he accepted his second award of the evening.

To cap off the end of the evening Miami Dolphins new head Coach Cam Cameron took the podium to give his keynote address. Met with cheers and applause Coach Cameron expressed his excitement over his new team in Miami. Looking ahead to great accomplishments in Miami, he points to the character of the players on the Dolphins. He states that character is a trait that should have already been established in an individual at this point in their life, and that the Dolphin organization has good character and that they drafted this year on character. Coach Cameron believes that such character brings strong work ethics, and team players that can work to refine their talent. So he closed out the evening, along with whistles and cheers as he stated into the microphone: “We are the Miami Dolphins…we will make you proud, and we promise you that together, together we will bring you a championship! Because we are the Miami Dolphins!”