Miami Dolphins senior vice chairman of communications and neighborhood affairs Jason Jenkins died on Saturday, the staff introduced throughout halftime of the preseason recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles. He was 47.
On high of main the Dolphins communications division, Jenkins was well-known in South Florida for spearheading the staff’s quite a few neighborhood outreach initiatives.
“It's with profound disappointment that the Miami Dolphins announce the passing of Jason Jenkins, Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Group Affairs,” a Dolphins press launch stated. “He died all of a sudden on Saturday, August 27, 2022, forsaking his spouse, Elizabeth, and three stunning youngsters, a company of people who find themselves mourning his passing and a South Florida neighborhood which can endlessly bear his impression.”
The Dolphins mourned the lack of Jenkins on Saturday evening.
“Our hearts are damaged and grieving the lack of a person who was a pricey good friend and beloved by so many individuals,” Dolphins vice chairman, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel stated in a press release. “Jason faithfully served the Dolphins group for 14 years, was a beacon locally, a trailblazer and champion for others, and above all, handled individuals with a kindness and dignity that left a long-lasting mark on everybody he met. Our deepest condolences and our unwavering help exit to his spouse, Elizabeth, and his three youngsters.”
Added Dolphins proprietor Steve Ross in a press release: “I'm heartbroken. Jason Jenkins was an icon within the Miami neighborhood, and above all a form and unbelievable household man. His dedication to our group was unmatched. He was my good friend however most of all he was a beneficiant soul. My coronary heart is with Elizabeth and his youngsters tonight. The Jenkins household will at all times be part of the Dolphins household.”
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel coached the preseason finale on Saturday with a heavy coronary heart, studying of the passing of Jenkins hours earlier than kickoff.
“I haven’t been right here that lengthy, however his funding into the staff and the neighborhood, it didn’t take lengthy to see the nice work he did,” McDaniel stated. “I didn’t see a day that — there wasn’t a time — there wasn’t a day that handed that I noticed him that he simply didn’t mild up the room. Like I simply advised the staff, it’s vital for individuals who liked him and have been touched by him and all of the members of our staff to lean on one another. That’s what we’re going to attempt to do. Our hearts are heavy, as they need to be, for an unquestioned skilled that’s made his mark on not solely the staff however the Nationwide Soccer League.”
Mentioned Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who discovered of Jenkins’ dying after the sport, together with different gamers: “Jason was a beacon of the neighborhood. That’s what I consider once I hear of Jason’s identify. This man is at all times eager to do stuff for different individuals. ‘Hey Tua, how can I make it easier to with this? How can we assist together with your basis? Hey, how can we do that to make that higher or do you wish to come do that neighborhood service occasion?’ Issues like that. That’s what I consider once I consider Jason. Somebody who's extraordinarily selfless.”
Jenkins joined the Dolphins in 2009 and earned his present title in 2015. He oversaw the group’s front-facing manufacturers, together with media outreach, public relations, social media and neighborhood efforts for the Dolphins, Laborious Rock Stadium and System One Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.
He was a fixture within the native South Florida neighborhood and devoted his life to connecting with and serving others, most notably by creating the Dolphins’ Soccer Unites platform. Jenkins was additionally the board chair of the Dolphins Problem Most cancers, the biggest fundraiser within the NFL which has raised greater than $53 million for the Sylvester Complete Most cancers Middle.
Jenkins beforehand served because the staff’s vice chairman of communications, being named to that place in Might 2013. Previous to becoming a member of the Dolphins, Jenkins labored within the media relations division for the San Francisco 49ers, in addition to served because the affiliate athletic director at Texas Southern College from 1999-2002 and as athletic gross sales and promotion supervisor and sports activities communications assistant at Lehigh College from 1997-99.
A local of Houston, Jenkins earned his bachelor’s diploma in 1997 in broadcast journalism from Texas Tech College. In 2017, Jenkins was chosen by school and alumni as an Excellent Alumni Award winner. He served as graduation speaker for the 2018 Texas Tech graduating class. Jenkins was additionally a board member on a number of South Florida-based neighborhood organizations, together with Anti-Defamation League Florida, Breakthrough Miami, Dolphins Problem Most cancers, Professional Sports activities Meeting, City League of Broward County, Ladies of Tomorrow, and YWCA Miami.
The reason for Jenkins’ dying was not publicized.
Funeral preparations will probably be communicated at a later date.
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