Miami Dolphins Rookies Tour Historic Overtown on Juneteenth to Learn About Their New Home

Just before the Juneteenth holiday, Miami Dolphins rookie players took a break from football practice to tour Overtown, one of Miami's most historic neighborhoods. The rookies walked through the area with local student-athletes, learning about its long and important history. A well-known Miami historian led the tour, helping the new players understand the community they now call home.

Miami historian Dr. Marvin Dunn, who is 86 years old, guided the players through Overtown. He has spent many decades studying and writing about the history of South Florida. For Dunn, showing new Dolphins players around the neighborhood is an important way to welcome them to their new city. 'The number one thing I want them to take away from this experience is that they're home now,' Dunn said. 'This is their community. I want them to feel welcome, comfortable, and knowledgeable about this community.'

Dunn also pointed out that the Miami Dolphins are one of the most well-known teams in the region. Because of that, he believes it is especially important for the players to know and care about the place where they live and work. 'I know the stories,' Dunn said. 'I think I can give an authentic account of our history. I think the people are interested in it, and that's why I'm doing it.'

During the tour, the players visited several old buildings that have been standing for more than 100 years. Seeing those places up close gave the players a real sense of how long the neighborhood has been part of Miami's story. Rookie Chris Johnson was amazed by what he saw. 'We walked into a few different historical buildings that have been up for 100-plus years. That's just crazy,' Johnson said. 'Just to be able to see the paintings on the wall from certain people and just understanding the history.'

For some of the rookies, the tour was a brand-new experience that opened their eyes to a history they did not know much about. Rookie Trey Moore grew up in Texas and said he was not very familiar with South Florida's culture. He found the trip exciting and meaningful. 'I'm actually from Texas, so I wasn't too familiar with the culture and the history down here,' Moore said. 'But it's very cool to find out, to learn.'

Dolphins team executive Kim Miller said that community events like this one are a key part of what the team stands for. She explained that the timing around Juneteenth makes the tour especially meaningful. 'We get to invite the rookies out to learn about their new city — to learn about Miami and the history here in Overtown in particular,' Miller said. 'They're really learning about the Black history in the area and how Black history shapes this city as a whole.'

Juneteenth is a national holiday celebrated every year on June 19th. It marks the day in 1865 when enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed. Today, Juneteenth is a time to celebrate Black history, culture, and freedom across the country.

Dr. Dunn also used the tour to push back against negative ideas some people have about Overtown. He wants others to see the neighborhood's true value and history. 'Overtown is still here. We still have beautiful Overtown,' Dunn said. 'It's a historic community that deserves preservation, and I hope people see the opportunity to come.' The Dolphins' visit is one way to help shine a light on everything the neighborhood has to offer.