Dolphins senior VP of communications Jason Jenkins, a widely known determine in the neighborhood, dies

Miami Dolphins senior vp of communications and neighborhood affairs Jason Jenkins died on Saturday, the staff introduced throughout halftime of the preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles. He was 47.

On prime 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 is with profound sadness that the Miami Dolphins announce the passing of Jason Jenkins, Dolphins Senior Vice President of Communications and Community Affairs,” a Dolphins press launch stated. “He died suddenly on Saturday, August 27, 2022, leaving behind his wife, Elizabeth, and three beautiful children, an organization of people who are mourning his passing and a South Florida community which will forever bear his impact.”

The Dolphins mourned the lack of Jenkins on Saturday evening.

“Our hearts are broken and grieving the loss of a man who was a dear friend and beloved by so many people,” Dolphins vice chairman, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel stated in an announcement. “Jason faithfully served the Dolphins organization for 14 years, was a beacon in the community, a trailblazer and champion for others, and above all, treated people with a kindness and dignity that left a lasting mark on everyone he met. Our deepest condolences and our unwavering support go out to his wife, Elizabeth, and his three children.”

Added Dolphins proprietor Steve Ross in an announcement: “I am heartbroken. Jason Jenkins was an icon in the Miami community, and above all a kind and incredible family man. His dedication to our organization was unmatched. He was my friend but most of all he was a generous soul. My heart is with Elizabeth and his children tonight. The Jenkins family will always be a part of the Dolphins family.”

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 here that long, but his investment into the team and the community, it didn’t take long to see the great work he did,” McDaniel stated. “I didn’t see a day that — there wasn’t a time — there wasn’t a day that passed that I saw him that he just didn’t light up the room. Like I just told the team, it’s important for those who loved him and were touched by him and all the members of our team to lean on each other. That’s what we’re going to try to do. Our hearts are heavy, as they should be, for an unquestioned professional that’s made his mark on not only the team but the National Football League.”

Said Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who discovered of Jenkins’ loss of life after the sport, together with different gamers: “Jason was a beacon of the community. That’s what I think of when I hear of Jason’s name. This guy is always wanting to do stuff for other people. ‘Hey Tua, how can I help you with this? How can we help with your foundation? Hey, how can we do this to make that better or do you want to come do this community service event?’ Things like that. That’s what I think of when I think of Jason. Someone who is extremely 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, Hard Rock Stadium and Formula 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’ Football Unites platform. Jenkins was additionally the board chair of the Dolphins Challenge Cancer, the most important fundraiser within the NFL which has raised greater than $53 million for the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Jenkins beforehand served because the staff’s vp of communications, being named to that place in May 2013. Prior 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 University from 1999-2002 and as athletic gross sales and promotion supervisor and sports activities communications assistant at Lehigh University from 1997-99.

A local of Houston, Jenkins earned his bachelor’s diploma in 1997 in broadcast journalism from Texas Tech University. In 2017, Jenkins was chosen by school and alumni as an Outstanding 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 Challenge Cancer, Pro Sports Assembly, Urban League of Broward County, Women of Tomorrow, and YWCA Miami.

The reason behind Jenkins’ loss of life was not publicized.

Funeral preparations can be communicated at a later date.

()