MIAMI– As part of the Miami Dolphins’ FOOTBALL UNITES™ partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) through Values Matter Miami (VMM), Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and M-DCPS Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho surprised eighth grade student Healy Barrientos as the winner of the district-wide cleat design contest for the NFL’s “My Cause, My Cleats” campaign on Tuesday, Dec. 3.
“Her design represents different races, unity and all the qualities that I stand for and the values we are trying to emphasize and instill in people through Values Matter Miami,” Wilkins said. “I am someone who always tries to emphasize that it is bigger than football. There is no sense in being a great football player if you’re not going to be a person of great character and high value. It’s important that I came here so I can be more accessible and real to the kids to spend some time with them, be in the classroom and shed some light and share some love.”
In celebration of the NFL’s third consecutive Unboxing Day, a league-wide unveiling of the players’ custom cleats, Barrientos’ design was selected out of 80 student submissions throughout all K-12 M-DCPS. Local artist Soles by Sir customized the cleats and joined in unveiling the design in front of the students and staff of West Miami Middle School. Wilkins will wear the winning cleat design as the Dolphins face off the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 22.
“I am just really happy I wasn’t expecting to get picked and I can’t wait to see it on him. I want to pursue my dream of art and this is just a great start,” Barrientos said.
Along with her surprise, Barrientos also received a Dolphins jersey, matching custom sneakers and tickets to support and represent VMM and Wilkins at the Dolphins vs. Bengals game.
Values Matter Miami is M-DCPS’ exciting values education program designed to promote education and values among its students. Over the past four years, it has engaged students in actively learning about nine core values, – Respect, Honesty, Kindness, Fairness, Integrity, Citizenship, Cooperation, Responsibility and Pursuit of Excellence – inside and outside of the classroom.
“Values Matter Miami is a recognition of the good deeds, positive actions and model behaviors demonstrated by our students,” Carvalho said. “We are proud to partner with the Dolphins to celebrate and honor the decency, honesty and values exhibited by our students each and every day.”
These efforts and initiatives align with the organization’s goal to level the playing field through the power of teamwork to inspire a healthier, more educated and united South Florida community. Dolphins Chairman of the Board & Managing General Partner Stephen Ross and Dolphins players created the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program as a way to bring positive social change. The Miami Dolphins organization believes it is important to be inclusive of the diversity and aware of the intersections that make up South Florida, uniting groups of different races, genders, sexual orientations, identities, abilities and faiths around the power of football.
These programs connect to the NFL’s Inspire Change platform, showcasing the collaborative efforts of players, owners and the league to create positive change in communities across the country and work with RISE – the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality – to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations. Information on the FOOTBALL UNITES™ program can be found here. To learn more about RISE, visit here. Fans can join the conversation with the NFL’S Inspire Change program by clicking here.
