Article by USAToday Dolphins Wire
Miami Dolphins offensive guard Solomon Kindley’s path to the NFL didn’t start with pee-wee football or any kind of an early head start. As a matter of fact, Kindley didn’t play football until 9th grade growing up. But the Dolphins’ second-year guard, who is expected to compete for (and ideally win) the left guard position this upcoming season, has plenty to do as a child in sports — starting with ample experience as a swimmer.
Kindley’s experiences in the water also included time as a lifeguard, where he was even needed to step in and prevent a child from drowning at one point. Kindley knows his way around the water. And he’s learned, first-hand, the dangers it brings for those who aren’t educated on the risk.
Which makes the pairing of Kindley with the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue this past weekend a perfect fit. Kindley and the Dolphins teamed up with firefighters, dispatchers, and ocean rescue members to help kickoff a “Learn-To-Swim” Program alongside the ‘Progressive Firefighter’s Association’ in Miami Dade.
The end result? A plunge by Kindley off the diving board to help officially open the event.
Here’s hoping that the splash Kindley makes on the field in 2021 is equal to the one he made on Saturday for a great cause — as Miami will be looking for growth and development from one of their most effective tone-setters upfront from the 2020 season in a new role on the left side of the line.
But for now, Kindley can be applauded for his time and attention to a great cause — the latest example of all that the Miami Dolphins are doing in the South Florida community to help develop countless youth and underprivileged folks across the region.