Miami Dolphins' Director of Youth Programs Twan Russell

As part of Women's History Month each year, the Miami Dolphins host a girls high school football clinic at the team's facility, teaching over 450 ladies from South Florida the basic fundamentals of football. Then in April, the Dolphins host a girls' flag football jamboree presented by Under Armour and AT&T, where the young ladies are divided into over 20 teams and face off on the field.

It doesn't stop there. The Dolphins youth department also partners with local high schools to implement the NFL ATLAS & ATHENA Schools Program, a nationally-acclaimed initiative designed to promote healthy living and reduce the use of steroids and other drugs among high school athletes. The ATHENA portion is designed to reduce disordered eating and use of body shaping and other drugs among young women, while promoting healthy nutrition and exercise. 

Today, we're honored to have the Dolphins Director of Youth Programs, Twan Russell, on our show. In his role, Russell oversees all of the team’s youth programs including school programs, football clinics and camps. 

During his seven-year career as a player, Russell saw action in 78 games and registered 35 tackles, while serving as a special teams standout. In 2001, Russell was named special teams captain and won the prestigious Nat Moore Community Service award which recognizes a Miami Dolphins player for his involvement in the South Florida community. Upon his retirement from the NFL in 2003, Russell quickly made his mark in community service. He created and serves as Chairman of the Russell Life Skills and Reading Foundation, Inc. The Foundation currently serves more than 1,000 youth in Broward and Miami-Dade Counties annually and is dedicated to providing young people with the fundamental tools essential to success.