About The Foundation
The Dwight Stephenson Foundation was founded in 2007 by NFL Hall of Famer, and former Miami Dolphin, Dwight Stephenson and his wife Dinah Stephenson. The Foundation strives to generate funding for a variety of charitable organizations including United Cerebral Palsy, The Urban League of Broward County, The Boys and Girls Clubs and The American Diabetes Association, to name a few.
A successful businessman and owner of D. Stephenson Construction, Inc. in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Mr. Stephenson has successfully achieved his vision of combining his two passions - business and sports - to generate funds to further increase his support of charities that are near and dear to his heart. The Foundation leverages support from these two passions to create exciting events throughout the year, including The Foundation's signature event, The Dwight Stephenson Hall of Fame Golf Classic, which is held each year in April.
Together with The Dwight Stephenson Foundation Board of Directors and Special Event Committee members, the lives of children and families are being improved.
About Dwight Stephenson
On February 11, 2006 Dwight joined a distinguished list of former Walter Camp 'Man of the Year' recipients which includes former NFL standout players, Roger Staubach, Gale Sayers, and Jim Kelly. The Walter Camp Award honors an individual who has been closely associated with the game of football as a player, coach or close attendant to the game. He must have contributed to the public service for the benefit of the community, the country and his fellow man. He must have an impeccable reputation for integrity and must be dedicated to our American Heritage and the philosophy of Walter Camp. In 1985, during his playing days, Dwight was honored and received the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for his work in charity for reasons similar to the Walter Camp Honor. He was the first of only three Dolphins players who have received this award. Dan Marino and Jason Taylor have also received this award.
Dwight Stephenson, a second-round pick and the 48th player selected in the 1980 NFL Draft, excelled at center for the Miami Dolphins for eight seasons from 1980 to 1987. An All-American at the University of Alabama, the 6-2, 255-pound Stephenson lived up to all his advance notices as a Dolphin.
In just a few years, he was universally recognized as the premier center in the NFL. He earned both All-Pro and All-AFC recognition five straight years from 1983 to 1987. He was named the AFC or NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year in various major polls four years. Stephenson was selected for five straight Pro Bowl games, the first four as a starter. Injuries prevented him from playing in the 1987 and 1988 games.
Stephenson, who was born November 20, 1957, in Murfreesboro, North Carolina, was quiet, intense, hard-working and competitive. He was an exceptionally quick blocker and he possessed an explosive charge off the snap. He was the Dolphins offensive captain and his presence as the anchor of the offensive line was a major factor in the Dolphins’ record of allowing the fewest quarterback sacks in the NFL for six straight years.
In his rookie season in 1980, Stephenson spent much of his time on special teams while learning the rudiments of pro football offensive line play. His first NFL start came in 1981 when the regular center, Mark Dennard, was injured in the 11th game.
Stephenson played in 107 straight games and started in 80 consecutive games until the 1987 players’ strike ended the streak. He returned after the strike and started seven straight games before he suffered a serious left knee injury. Although he tried a comeback the next season, he was forced to retire when the injury failed to respond. Stephenson was the starting center in the 1982, 1984 and 1985 AFC championship games and in Super Bowls XVII and XIX.
Source: profootballhof.com