Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Wilson to foster kids: Dream big
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins wide receiver Albert Wilson continues to make an impact on the South Florida community while recovering from an injury before the upcoming NFL season.
Wilson, a Port St. Lucie native who grew up in the foster care system, was honored Wednesday with the Champion of Children Award by ChildNet, the lead agency for child welfare support in Broward and Palm Beach Counties.
“It gives me a chance to give back to the community that I was raised in,” Wilson said during ChildNet’s sixth annual luncheon event at Signature Grand.
“To be partnered with people at ChildNet — who have a strong vision about kids in foster care that wants them to have a
better life as I do — it gives me a great feeling to have the same belief in something so powerful.”
The award marked the second time in the past week Wilson has been recognized for his commitment to helping others with a similar upbringing, as the Eckerd Connects’ Project Bridge named him a community hero during an event last week.
Wilson, who lived with two families in South Florida while his parents were incarcerated, will enter his second season with the Dolphins and sixth overall in the NFL this year.
Wilson says he is 100 percent healthy, and hopes to play in Week 1 of the 2019 season after spending the past eight months recovering from a hip injury that did not require surgery.
“Everything is going good, taking it one day at a time, and trying to get back on the field and help the team out,” said Wilson, who was on track for the best season of his career before suffering the injury on Oct. 21.
Wilson, who turns 27 next month, proved to be an electric playmaker during his first season with the Dolphins. He caught a 74-yard touchdown and threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to friend and fellow receiver Jakeem Grant against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3, and earned AFC offensive player of the week honors after a two-touchdown performance against the Chicago Bears in Week 6. He finished with 26 receptions for 391 yards and four touchdowns in seven games last year.
Wilson was held out of the Dolphins’ offseason training activities in May and their mandatory threeday minicamp earlier this month to continue his recovery.
Wilson continued to pursue his work in the community while recovering from the injury, trying to be a positive influence on children in foster care.
“Albert is just so giving, and so dignified, and so classy,” said Larry Rein, CEO and president of ChildNet.
“I feel like they have the same opportunity as the next person, and I want to be a positive, living role model for them,” Wilson said.
“I want to be able to touch them so I can get out in front of them and tell them that everything is possible, have a dream, and do your best to live it out.”
If you wish to donate to ChildNet, or become a foster or adoptive parent in South Florida, visit www.ChildNet.us.