Jerome Baker
MIAMI DOLPHINS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Linebacker | Ohio State University | 4 |
Demonstrates Excellence on The Field
Jerome Baker has been one of the most productive players in the NFL since he arrived in 2018. His 353 career tackles are tied for fifth-most of any player that entered the NFL in 2018. He is on pace to total 100+ tackles for the third consecutive season and could become the fourth Dolphins player since 2000 to accomplish that. With 46 more tackles, Jerome will become the first Dolphins player since at least 2000 to total 400 career tackles in his first four NFL seasons.
Jerome also has the ability to make game-changing plays. He's totaled 12.5 sacks, two interceptions, 12 passes defensed and five forced fumbles in his career. In his rookie season of 2018, Jerome intercepted a pass that he returned for a touchdown vs. the N.Y. Jets. Both his 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles are the most by a Dolphins player since 2018. His 12 passes defensed are the most by any Dolphins non-defensive back since he entered the league that year.
Jerome's consistency on the field has continued into the 2021 season. He once again is leading the Dolphins in tackles with 42 this season. He also led the team in tackles in 2019 and 2020. Jerome's six quarterback hits this season are tied for second on the team.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts this Year
Jerome can be found grinning from ear to ear, serving his community regardless of the time of year. Jerome has hosted a Christmas event for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Miami-Dade since he arrived in Florida three years ago, even hosting a virtual event to keep the tradition in 2020 during the pandemic. Born on Christmas Day, Jerome hosts the event for the children as a birthday gift.
After tragedy hit the South Florida community in June 2021, when a residential building in Surfside collapsed, Jerome jumped into action. Jerome partnered with a minority-owned small business food truck to provide meals to first responders who were working tirelessly in the recovery efforts of the building destruction and to provide aid to residents and their loved ones. Jerome also visited the site with teammate Jaylen Waddle to deliver much-needed water and supplies.
Later in August 2021, following the 7.2 earthquake in Haiti on August 14th, Jerome partnered with Miami Dolphins Football UNITES, community partner City of North Miami, to transport donated items to Haiti for earthquake relief. He supported a call to action with North Miami Mayor Philippe Bien-Aime for the public to deliver goods needed by the country.
Demonstrates Dedication and Commitment to Community Efforts in Years Past
Drafted in 2018, Jerome established his Expand the Land foundation to inspire youth and provide mentorship and programming in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio, and his new home in Miami.
Jerome immediately jumped into community outreach efforts with the Miami Dolphins Football UNITES community partners, working with organizations like Feeding South Florida to assist with meal packing, 5000 Role Models youth mentorship programming, and police ride-alongs.
Expand the Land foundation hosted its first "Make Hustle Happen" workshop in partnership with Microsoft in 2019. Cleveland area students ages 8-13 developed, created, and then pitched business ideas to Jerome.
In 2020, Jerome wanted to find a way to give back to the Cleveland community, especially when the COVID-19 pandemic hit home. He hosted a socially distanced backpack giveaway at his high school alma mater, Benedictine, for kids in grades 2-8 to motivate kids in school.
Demonstrates Consistency in Positive Character and Models a Lifestyle of Giving Back
Since entering the league, Jerome consistently tries to bring out the best in those around him both on and off the field. His Christmas event for the Boys and Girls Club of Miami-Dade has been a staple on the December calendar each year since he arrived in Miami in 2018. Jerome made sure to modify virtually so he could still host the event during the pandemic in 2020, even when many charitable activities had been canceled throughout the community. Jerome leads in youth outreach in both the Cleveland and Miami communities. He is quick to jump to aid in relief efforts both near and far, as he did this year following the collapse of the Surfside condo building and the earthquake in Haiti.
Jerome was selected as a Miami Dolphins Team Captain by his teammates in 2019.
