Foundation

Photo Courtesy of Miami Dolphins

CONTACT AKIN'S PATH

As Dolphins linebacker Akin Ayodele moves his career to Miami, he takes with him a reputation as one of the NFL's most generous personalities.

A constant presence in the community since entering the league seven years ago, Akin has recently chosen to bring his considerable charitable efforts under the umbrella of his own non-profit foundation called "Akin's PATH". This foundation devotes itself to the priciples of Providing Acceptance, Teamwork and Hope (P.A.T.H.), and it officially launched on August 12, 2008 at the Dolphins training complex, when Akin announced his partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Miami.

"I am very fortunate to be in a situation where I can give back to the community," said Ayodele, who was traded to Miami from the Dallas Cowboys back in April, "and I feel very lucky to be playing in Miami. I want to be able to give back to the people in the community who support me."

Ayodele chose Big Brothers Big Sisters as the first charitable partner for his foundation because of the strong role the organization plays in helping to shape young men and women in South Florida.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is the premiere mentoring program in America," he said, "and the statistics show that kids who have a big brother or big sister to spend time with them are far less likely to wind up doing drugs or facing other types of trouble."

Ayodele, who was once a nominee for the NFL's Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, not only announced that he will be serving as a big brother to a local boy this year, but that he will also pay for 10 "Bigs" and 10 "Littles" to come to each Dolphins home game. He will provide them with tickets, t-shirts, food and drink and parking.

Gale Nelson, vice president of programs for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Miami, says it is extremely important for someone of Ayodele's public stature to support the organization, particulatly because of the need for more men to serve as big brothers. He says that the number of women serving as big sisters outweigh their male counterparts nearly three to one.

"I'm proud to serve as a big brother," says Ayodele, who has previously played for both Jacksonville and Dallas before coming to Miami, "and I want to challenge all Dolphins fans out there to volunteer to make a difference in the lives of children by serving as mentors."

Ayodele, who says he will also be announcing a partnership with Miami Dade Public Schools in the coming months, encourages Dolphins fans to visit www.wementor.org for more information on Big Brothers Big Sisters.