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.
📸: @MiamiDolphins Guard Solomon Kindley was on hand to take a plunge into the pool to bring awareness to the need for water safety education. @Pfacharities’ seven-week program teaches children how to swim to reduce the number of drowning cases among young children. pic.twitter.com/175XevO6qU
— Miami-Dade Fire Rescue (@MiamiDadeFire) June 14, 2021
The end result? A plunge by Kindley off the diving board to help officially open the event.
@MiamiDolphins Solomon Kindley takes the BIG PLUNGE for the kids at the @Pfacharities 2021 Learn to Swim Kickoff in partnership with @childrenstrust @miamiparks @MiamiDolphins 🎥 @freezframemedia pic.twitter.com/G71us4pSDp
— CEDRIC DAWKINS (@CED_PR_KING) June 13, 2021
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 up front 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.
