Albert Wilson, Kenny Stills and Robert Quinn

There are those who are afraid to make waves. There are those who are OK with looking the other way. And there are those who are content to just sit on the sidelines. But this is not the case of Miami Dolphins players Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Robert Quinn. The “sports dream-teamers” are daring to take their game off the sidelines and onto the field of life. These athlete activists are investing their time, their money and their celebrity to advance the causes that are near and dear to their hearts. They are lending a helping hand (phin) to mentor the youth, serve those in need and to fight against police brutality and social injustice. They are inspiring the next “Next Generation of Dreamers.”

Dream chasers and dream catchers. Phins Up!

Dolphins wide receiver Kenny Stills’ job on the field is to catch passes. In the game of life, Stills is using his background in communication to facilitate open conversations between law enforcement and the communities they serve. On his own time and his own dime; he drives to different states to do community events. And local events, he’s there too—R.I.S.E. and Football Unites are both Dolphins’ initiatives. He’s a three-time Dolphins’ Nat Moore Community Service Award winner, and a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year honors.

He helped donate football equipment to Miami’s local NFL Youth Education Town Center. He helped fund CommUNITY, tailgates which bring together local student-athletes, coaches, parents, community leaders, law enforcement and military personnel at every Dolphins’ home game.
A native Floridian from Port St. Lucie, Albert Wilson is yet another Dolphins’ receiver daring to dream.
The Phins’ receiver is running a great route toward righting the wrongs in our communities.
He mentors with the Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

Motivated by the way that both he and his sisters grew up, Wilson started the Albert Wilson Foundation to enhance the lives of youth in foster care and underserved communities. He and a former teammate started a foundation called “Catch A Break.” “Every pass we dropped, we’d donate $100 to the cause. It was pretty much just helping people to catch a break,” said Wilson. Buying shoes, clothes, a bed or paying an electric bill— doing whatever “to help them out and make their day better.”

Wilson also uses his platform to stand up for those who don’t have a voice in an effort to raise awareness of the social injustices and inequality going on in our communities. “I felt like it’s my right just for my city and for God to do so,” he said.
Robert Quinn, a 29-year-old defensive end, prides himself on his skil

ls to protect his homeland and the motherland. He’s a defender of those who can’t or just need a little help defending themselves. He’s tackling hunger, poverty and is out to sack social injustice.
A major in African-American studies, Quinn has not forgotten his roots. He has put together and hosted his own bowling event benefiting Africa. But don’t think for a minute that he has forgotten his home community. He has participated in numerous charitable efforts such as the Make-A-Wish Celebrity Server Dinner, the Urban League Turkey Distribution, the Ronald McDonald House Charities and Big Plays Little Wishes to benefit Big Brothers, Big Sisters.

All three dreamers, at risk to their own careers, knelt to stand for the rights of others. Through peaceful protest during the rendition of the national anthem, they put a spotlight on social injustices and police brutality against people of color. And they say that millennials don’t care about anybody but themselves.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had a dream and these young dreamers are keeping hope alive for our children and our communities to make the world a better place.
The Miami Times was unable to reach Mr. Stills and Mr. Quinn for comment.