AFTER signing a monster extension to continue his career with the Miami Dolphins, Jaylen Waddle is turning his focus to supporting his community.
Waddle signed a three-year, $84.5 million contract to remain with the Dolphins through the 2028 season.
Immediately after signing his agreement, Waddle went out with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America to promote higher graduation rates in underserved communities.
In collaboration with Old Spice, BBBS sent its inaugural School of Swagger graduating class.
The initiative matches students with mentors, which studies show increases graduation rates by 95 percent.
Miami area high school and senior students who participated in the program were invited to the graduation event to celebrate the success of their mentorships.
Waddle was present at the graduation ceremony and shared how meaningful it was for him to be part of the successful initiative.
“It’s very important,” Waddle told The US Sun.
“Giving back to the community is always key and something I look forward to doing.
“It’s definitely big.”
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Gale Nelson, president of BBBS Miami, shared the importance of their collaboration with Old Spice and the significance of having a prominent figure like Waddle present for children.
“It’s the epitome of teamwork,” Nelson told The US Sun.
“When you think about the Old Spice School of Swagger’s focus on mentorship and the point of helping black boys graduate, you don’t graduate without someone on your team.
“So while we join Jaylen and do our thing, they look up to Jaylen and celebrate Jaylen, waddling or not.
“The focus of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to bring kids together with a great, a mentor, that trusted friend and advisor, and to have that coach in your corner so you know you can do it.”
Waddle credited the Dolphins organization for helping players with their charitable efforts
“I think it’s great,” Waddle said.
“The Dolphins do a good job posting and organizing these events that we can attend, show our faces and network with young people.
“They race like they do every year. So wearing things like that and going out into the community is important.
“Obviously, these are the people who come to games and support us, so any time we can give back is key.
“We try to do as much as we can for the community.”
The race mentioned by Waddle is the NFL’s biggest charity event of the year, which features a 5K run as well as a 15-, 35-, 50- and 100-mile bike ride.
Last year, more than 4,000 people showed up to support the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center and raised a record $8.4 million.
Since the event began in 2010, the Dolphins have raised more than $53 million for cancer research.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story