MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - Thousands gathered for a celebration of life for a member of the Miami Dolphins who made a lasting impact off the field.
What Jason Jenkins did for the South Florida community will never be forgotten.
Jenkins, senior vice president of communications and community affairs for the Miami Dolphins, died of thrombosis, a blood clot traveling from his leg to his heart, suddenly, last week.
He had a life full of love and an intimate group, including football greats Dan Marino and Terrell Owens among those invited to celebrate his life inside Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
Elizabeth Jenkins, his wife of 12 years, said her heart is now broken.
“To me, he’s the love of my life,” she said. “As I stand before you, I don’t know if the hole in my heart will ever heal even 1%, but I do know that his passion and strength live inside me and our children.”
But Jenkins’ job and his passion pulled so many people from different walks of life together, that story was told in the pictures and the audience paying tribute.
“While filled with sadness, I’m extremely humbled and proud to pay tribute to him here today,” said Chief Larry Juriga, of the North Miami Police Department.
“Jason believed in kindness ,above all,” said Jenkins, “dignity to each person you met, humility, humbleness, willingness to listen and not just hear the other side. Even if you didn’t agree, allowing space that our disagreements don’t make us but our similarities and connections do.”
Jenkins’ work with the football team’s initiatives like Football Unites and Dolphins Challenge Cancer to raise money, raise awareness and raise spirits have touched thousands of lives across South Florida and beyond.
“To Liz, to you and your family, I want to say a hearty thank you, to the honor of letting my voice, to the men throughout our community who are moved to speak in celebration of Jason Jenkins’ life well-lived but taken away too soon,” said Stuart Miller, Board of Directors, Dolphins Challenge Cancer.
Faith leaders said the 47-year-old’s actions showed he answered a call to serve his community.
“One of the things that impressed me most about Jason was his disarming demeanor and his infectious smile. He had the perfect personality to deal with the pastors of and the people in our community, which both, by my own admission, at times could be a handful,” said Pastor Arthur Jackson, III, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church.
“I think Jason would be looking to challenge all of us in how we live our lives,” said Pastor T.J. McCormick, Coastal Community Church.
President and CEO of the Miami Dolphins Tom Garfinkle said there was no other place more fitting to have this celebration of life service.
“Let us please take a moment to each reflect on our own lives and reflect on Jason’s life and his example,” said Garfinkel. “Jason loved the game of football. It’s appropriate we’re at this stadium, on this field. He loved football, and he loved the qualities he taught and fostered hard work, teamwork, competitiveness, overcoming adversity, leadership.”
And thanks to all the good he did and all the lives he touched, a legacy that will endure.
“He told me once, ‘I want to make the world a better place, not just for the people I meet but because I want to make it a better more loving, more understanding and kinder place for our three children,'” said Jenkins.
Jenkins leaves behind a wife and three children.
The Dolphins team has set up two funds in Jenkin’s honor.
For more information about the Celebration of Life, to donate and learn more about Jenkins’ profound legacy, click here.
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