Second annual Dan Marino & Friends Weekend to take place in February

From February 19 through February 22, a large contingent of Miami Dolphins legends, their families and friends will be kicking back in the sun at the Islands of the Bahamas as they participate in the second annual Dan Marino and Friends Weekend. 

This weekend is part of an ongoing partnership between the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and the Miami Dolphins and fans are invited to attend. Participants will have an opportunity to play golf with Miami Dolphin legends at the Ocean Club, enjoy a sunset cruise, participate in a Youth Football Clinic at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and see a Miami Dolphins Legends game at the stadium.

Dan Marino, along with Miami Dolphins Alumni Dick Anderson, Keith Byars, Mark Clayton, Mark Duper, Hugh Green, Jim Jenson, Sam Madison, O.J. McDuffie, Nat Moore, Louis Oliver, Joe Rose, Pat Surtain, Dwight Stephenson and Shawn Wooden, will host a youth clinic that is free for 300 Bahamian children, age 6-14. 

“We are coming together to teach the kids football fundamentals, motivate them to do the right things,” Moore said. “We are encouraging all the Bahamians to come out and be a part of this weekend. It’s good when we come down but it is also better when we meet all of the Bahamian people and make friends and it gives us incentives to keep coming for more than just an event.”

Twan Russell, who is still involved with the team on a consistent basis, said that those attending the clinic will benefit from all the instruction that the Dolphins legends will provide. 

"We are excited about doing this because the last time we did it we found that the kids wanted to learn. And we are excited to return to see if the kids retained what we taught them. Who knows? We might be building the next football star coming out of here. But at the end of the day it is about giving a positive message,” he said. “When we come over there is so much kindness given to us. But so many life lessons are learnt on the football field. One of the kids might fall and we have to tell them ‘In life you are going to fall but you have to get up and try again.’”

Last year, the event saw just over 100 people and Moore is hoping for more this year. To accomplish that, more events have been added, including a flag football game between Dolphins alumni. For more information on the Dan Marino and Friends Weekend, you can click here to view events and ticket packages.

This story was written by Matthew Cannata. Follow him on Twitter: @PhinManiacs

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