Jenkins joined the Dolphins in 2009, prior to which he worked in media relations for the 49ers for seven yearsDolphins
Dolphins SVP/Communications & Community Affairs JASON JENKINS has died at 47, according to Greg Rajan of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. The team made the announcement Saturday before their preseason game against the Eagles. Jenkins joined the Dolphins in 2009 and was named to his SVP role in 2015. Prior to his time in Miami, he "worked in media relations" for the 49ers for seven years. Dolphins owner STEPHEN ROSS said Jenkins, a Houston native, was an "icon in the Miami community, and above all a kind and incredible family man” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 8/28). Dolphins Vice Chair, President & CEO TOM GARFINKEL said Jenkins "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.” Jenkins was the "driving force behind many of the community outreach programs for the Dolphins, Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Grand Prix" (ESPN.com, 8/27). In Miami, David Wilson writes Jenkins was a “fixture both in the press box and in his South Florida community, at large.” His time in the organization spanned seven different coaches, three different GMs and 11 different starting QBs (MIAMI HERALD, 8/28).
SPREADING SUNSHINE: NBCSPORTS.com’s Peter King writes as a "selfless and invaluable part" of the Dolphins organization, Jenkins was the "king of outreach in South Florida.” No team in the NFL has "quite the diverse melting pot that the Dolphins have,” and Jenkins invented Football Unites, an effort to “bring every community in the community some Dolphins sunshine.” During Covid, Jenkins “established an immense daily food pantry” at Hard Rock Stadium, getting “thousands of dollars and donations-in-kind so those without work would have something to eat.” He got youth and high school football teams to “come to practice and stand on the sidelines with players and coaches” (NBCSPORTS.com, 8/29).
MR. DO IT ALL: In Ft. Lauderdale, Dave Hyde writes Jenkins was “one of the good guys.” He got the Dolphins “more involved in the community than any team in South Florida’s history.” Hyde: "Partnering with minority restaurants in Miami Gardens. Equipping high-school teams in Miami-Dade. Fund-raising for cancer research. Serving as a bridge between police and Black youth." If there was a community or charity event in town, he “seemed to be at it.” All of that is "why the Dolphins won the NFL’s community-service award last year." It is "why other sports teams called him asking for advice on their programs” (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 8/29).
NOT JUST A SUIT: In West Palm Beach, Hal Habib wrote Jenkins "wasn't just a suit to the players.” Habib: “Everybody knew Jenkins. He made a point of it.” Dolphins QB TUA TAGOVAILOA said, “Jason was a beacon of the community. That's what I think of when I hear of Jason's name, like, this guy is always wanting to do stuff for other people. ‘Hey, how can I help you with this?’ Like, ‘Hey, how can we help with your foundation?’” Ross is "currently feeling the pinch from the NFL,” and through all of it, Jenkins was his “shield and confidant” (PALM BEACH POST, 8/28). NFL Network’s Rhett Lewis: “He has been described as a beacon in the Miami community, a trailblazer” (“NFL Total Access,” NFL Network, 8/28).
