Photo via Jets Wire/USA Today

Josh Moore of the Lexington Herald Leader reports former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington was hired this week to lead the new program at the Sayre School in Lexington, Kentucky, which last fielded a team in the 1970s.

Sayre is the 64th-smallest school in the state, based on an enrollment of 259 students, including 137 boys. The program will have a freshman and JV team this fall, with the goal of fielding a varsity squad in the near future.

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"I am beyond excited to partner with the Sayre community concerning the football program," said Pennington, a 1999 Heisman Trophy finalist at Marshall University and a two-time NFL Comeback Player of the Year. “The game of football is a perfect platform to assist in developing our student-athletes in every aspect of their lives.”

Pennington has coached youth football in the Lexington area in recent years. 

 

 

Dolphins, Stoneman Douglas football program host free youth clinic

Former Dolphins tight end Troy Drayton holds a blocking dummy for a young clinic attendee (Photo via Jennifer Let/Sun Sentinel)

Chris Perkins of the Sun Sentinel tells the story of Sunday's youth football clinic that featured various Miami Dolphins players and alumni, along with 50 players from Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, site of last month's shooting that claimed 17 lives, including coach Aaron Feis and athletic director Chris Hixon. 

"It’s a great way to get everyone out in the community and just kind of help bring the community around something positive," said current Dolphins offensive tackle Sam Young, who was a multi-sport athlete while growing up near Parkland. "You’ve got some members of the Douglas football team out here. It’s great to see them having some fun. I’m happy to be a part of an organization that’s helping to rebuild, helping do this for this community."

Yesterday, we partnered with @MSDEagles to put on a free football clinic in Parkland for over 300 kids.

Read More: https://t.co/uFdFWF9Xcc pic.twitter.com/WG7DBgCsil

— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) March 12, 2018

Douglas football coach Willis May praised the Dolphins for their presence and enthusiasm.

"They’ve done so much for our kids since the tragedy three weeks ago," Mays said. "This is just awesome for our younger kids. We forget about them sometimes. They’re the brothers and the sisters, their older siblings are at the high school and they’re bringing that stuff home every day.

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"To have the guys get a break, too, and enjoy and not have to go through the sadness that they’ve been going through the last three weeks, to have a day like this, it’s awesome, it’s a blessing."

Saints owner Tom Benson passes away at 90

Photo via New Orleans Saints

Mike Triplett at ESPN.com details the Thursday passing of New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans owner Tom Benson, 90, credited for keeping the franchises in the city when both outcomes were in doubt. Benson was hospitalized with flu-like symptoms for nearly a month prior to his death.

"Tom Benson's contributions to New Orleans and the National Football League were legendary," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "He purchased a team that had never had a winning season. By the third year of his ownership, the Saints were in the playoffs. Tom kept the Saints together through the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, and his decision to bring the team back to New Orleans gave the entire region hope and confidence that they would recover. The Saints rewarded their fans with tremendous football and a Super Bowl championship."

The Saints went to the playoffs 11 times under Benson's ownership, including the 2009 season, when they beat the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.

Fans flocked to a festive gathering in Benson's honor Thursday night.

A heartfelt thank you to all those who gathered to honor Mr Benson with a second line from Tremé to @ChampionsSquare this evening. pic.twitter.com/qvcmpDfgdl

— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) March 16, 2018