Dolphins past and present turn out for fundraiser
KEY BISCAYNE At around 7:30 a.m. Saturday morning Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill was casually chatting with exDolphins wide receivers Brian Hartline and Chris Chambers by the dock at Miami’s Rickenbacker Marina.
This was shortly before the trio boarded boats to go deep sea fishing with Dolphins fans.
About an hour later, a mile or two south on the Rickenbacker Causeway, Dolphins legend Dan Marino checked in at Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne, where ex-Dolphins safety Dick Anderson was there along with ex-Dolphins cornerback Sam Madison, current Dolphins cornerback Bobby McCain, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and numerous others.
They were all preparing to golf with Dolphins fans.
That was a taste of what was going on Saturday at the 22nd annual Fins Weekend, a two-day event in past years but a one-day event now.
Proceeds benefit the Miami Dolphins Foundation’s education impact area with an emphasis on scholarship and mentoring.
Dolphins players past and present mixed with fans to raise money for the South Florida community in an event that also included a one-hour autograph signing and photo session with the Dolphins 2018 draft class and a party/ fundraiser Saturday night.
Hartline, who had two 1,000-yard receiving seasons with Tannehill (2012-13) during his six seasons with Miami (2009-14), is now coaching wide receivers at Ohio State, his alma mater.
“It’s great to see Brian,” Tannehill said. “We had some good years together, and I know he’s doing well up at Ohio State now. But it’s good to see him back down in South Florida and supporting the Dolphins and enjoying the South Florida lifestyle.”
Tannehill said he’s kept in touch occasionally with Hartline since his departure from the Dolphins, and his one year with Cleveland (2015).
“Everything is not quite the same whenever you’re not on the same team together,” Tannehill said. “But I have a ton of respect for him and what he did as a player, and now he’s carrying on his legacy by teaching young kids at Ohio State what he learned playing in the league.”
All around, at both the fishing and golf events, there were examples of former players mixing with current players, or older players from different generations mingling. They all consider themselves part of the Dolphins family.
Chambers, who spent Ex-safety Shawn Wooden seven of his 10 NFL seasons with the Dolphins, grew up fishing on Lake Erie in Ohio. Saturday was his first time deep sea fishing.
“Being able to experience this for the first time with the Dolphins family is cool to me,” said Chambers, who now works at Fit Speed in Weston.
On almost any other day, McCain, who was rewarded Friday with a four-year, $27 million contract extension, would have commanded lots of media attention.
And he did have his share of attention as he talked about his new deal.
“It feels great to be rewarded for what you’ve done,” said McCain, a 2015 fifth-round pick. “I’m not done. I’m not done grinding. It’s only going to get better from here.
“I appreciate the Dolphins and the organization for believing in me. Now we’re fighting for this championship.”
But on Saturday, it was more about Dolphins of all ages and generations whether it was Dwight Stephenson, John Offerdahl or any of the host of other players at the Fins Weekend event.
“You see guys played with, you that you see guys that came before you and set that foundation,” said ex-safety Shawn Wooden, who had two stays with the Dolphins (1996-99, 2001-04) in his nine-year career.
“The Dolphins alumni have a real good community and it all starts with Nat Moore,” Wooden said of the ex-Dolphins receiver who is the Dolphins’ senior vice president for special projects and alumni relations. “Nat Moore makes sure we’re a tight-knit group.”
And they’re a group that was ready to lend a hand for Fins Weekend.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Wooden said. “You have a good time, you fish and all that stuff, but at the end of the day it’s all about raising money for charity and the Dolphins do a good job of getting out in the community whether it’s current players or former players.”
chperkins@sunsentinel .com, Twitter @Chrisperk