The 2014 The Miami Dolphins rookies participated in a team community service project at Miami Norland Middle School. The rookies including first round pick Ja’Wuan James and second round pick Jarvis Landry visited students in the classroom. The rookie class also assisted Miami Norland Middle School with a Gatorade junior training camp.
This is the rookies second community service project. When the players arrived at the school, they divided into four groups and went into different classrooms. The players gave the students advice about life and answered questions. The players reiterated the importance of education and had fun with all the students.
After the classroom session, James said, it was good to see the excited kids.
“I know it means a lot, you can tell from the look in their eyes when we walk into their classroom that they are all excited,” said tackle Ja’Wuan James. “They look up to us, and it’s a good feeling, so you want to go out here and give them something good to look up to and make them proud and (help) make them better.”
At the end of the classroom session, the players and students moved outside where Dolphins special teams and set up a Gatorade Junior Training Camp. The Dolphins staff set up a fun atmosphere for the students to interact with the players. At each station, the students played catch, and went through football drills. Not only did the players preach the importance of a good education, they told the students how important it was for them to stay healthy.
“It means the world to me to give back, in any sense, and in any form possible,” said Landry. “I think that for us as athletes it’s important to use this as a platform to touch kids lives every day and that’s what we’re here doing.”
Not only is this a team building project for the students it is for the players as well. Landry also enjoyed interacting with his new teammates
“Since we just got drafted, events like this are good to bond the bond between us, said Landry.” “We are all part of the 2014 rookie class and we will be linked forever. “
