Players want deeds to back up words

Team asked to act on video message

county schools to purchase wireless hot spots and digital technology that will help students and parents in underserved communities get better Wi-Fi access, which is needed for distance learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is a project near and dear to Brian Flores’ heart. The Dolphins coach, one of three minority head coaches in the NFL, admitted his family and neighbors growing up in the

Brownville section of Brooklyn would have struggled with distance learning because of their financial challenges.

Many of the Dolphins players come from similar backgrounds and fear that those in poorer communities will be left behind now.

Bridging those types of gaps will be the mission of Miami’s Social Impact Committee.

Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick tried to bring many of these issues of systemic racism to the nation’s attention when he began kneeling during anthems in 2016, but the NFL botched how it handled that situation. Political pressure and a vocal segment of the fan base hijacked the message. Kaepernick was effectively blackballed from the NFL.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell and many of the league’s owners have changed their tune in 2020 as public opinion has changed and the Black Lives Matter movement has taken off. Phrases like “Equality for Everyone” are painted on NFL fields, shirts with the words “End Racism” are sold in different teams’ colors,. However, that doesn’t mean their intentions are genuine or that their actions and agenda will remain consistent.

Dolphins players aren’t waiting to see if the league drops the ball again.

“We wanted to take action,” Dolphin tailback Patrick Laird vowed. “We love to raise awareness about issues, but we really wanted to take action.”

While words are often encouraging, the Dolphins are showing that deeds and donations can create more of a lasting impact.