Dolphins Wish Team USA Good Luck

On the eve of the Hall of Fame Game preseason opener in Canton, Ohio, the Miami Dolphins took time out from a busy schedule to wish the Michael-Ann Russell Jewish Community Center NFL Flag team good luck ahead of its trip to China. The MAR JCC will defend the NFL Flag Football World Championship in Beijing between August 16 and 20.

Head Coach Nick Saban, quarterback AJ Feeley and tight end Randy McMichael were among the Dolphins who passed on advice and signed autographs when the team attended training camp in Davie, Florida.

The six youngsters from Miami, who will represent the USA against teams from nine other countries and three continents, enjoyed a behind the scenes look at Dolphins camp. Accompanied by their head coach David Fried, the group spoke with coach Saban and met their NFL heroes after practice.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Alex Ciklik, the team’s only returning player from the squad that won the championship in Vancouver in 2004. “Coach Saban told us to stay focused on our game out in China, but also to relax and enjoy ourselves because this is such a special visit. He said that representing our community and our country overseas is a great honor and that we should savor every moment.”

Teams of 12 to 14-year-olds from Canada, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Spain, Thailand and USA will compete for the world crown at the Dong Dan Sports Complex, situated half a mile from Tiananmen Square, in Beijing. The competition will be spread over three consecutive days; a round robin format is played by two groups of five teams to determine the four semi finalists and ultimately the two teams that will play for the world title.

Highlights from the Miami team’s visit to Dolphins training camp will feature on the ESPN morning show Cold Pizza between 8am and 10am on Tuesday, August 9. The team will practice at the Michael-Ann Russel Jewish Community Center (18900 North 25th Avenue, North Miami Beach, FL 33180) during that time for the benefit of the popular show’s cameras. Later on Tuesday evening, quarterback Andrew Brodsky will throw the first pitch at a Florida Marlins game.

The MAR JCC team leaves for China the following morning to go sightseeing before the tournament kicks off on Thursday, August 18. The full MAR JCC team line up is: Andrew Brodsky, Cameron Charme, Alex Ciklik, Evan Grabois, Jonathan Salk and Josh Shapiro.