MIAMI, January 29, 2020 – Ocean Conservancy announced today it surpassed its #SuperCleanupChallenge goal of removing and diverting 54 tons of ocean plastic and trash from Florida’s coasts and waterways for Super Bowl LIV. The final beach cleanup was held January 28 at historic Virginia Key Beach Park in Miami as part of the NFL’s Huddle for 100 initiative, which is designed to encourage people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time and log over 100 million minutes of community service in celebration of the league’s 100th season.

“In sports, it takes everyone working together to achieve the ultimate success and win a championship. For Ocean Conservancy, our ultimate success means a vibrant and healthy ocean. While we still have a long way to go, we’re extremely proud that, through our partnership with the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee, Florida’s beaches and coasts are cleaner than ever,” said Janis Searles Jones, CEO of Ocean Conservancy. “To everyone who joined #TeamOcean this season – including NFL players, fishermen, teachers and companies – thank you. This is the perfect example of how people from all backgrounds can unite to bring more attention and action to our ocean.”

Arizona Cardinals and former Miami Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake as well as former NFL kicker and Florida native Jay Feely participated in Tuesday’s cleanup, becoming the eighth and ninth NFL players to join #TeamOcean this season.

“Beginning my NFL career in Miami, I loved spending my off-days and down time at the beach and love to vacation to different incredible beaches all over the world, so protecting the ocean has a special place in my heart,” said Drake. “When I heard about Ocean Conservancy’s work to combat issues facing the ocean, especially in Florida, I jumped at the chance to join #TeamOcean and hope everyone else will too. I’ve learned people can take simple steps in their lives to help the ocean, like reducing unnecessary single-use plastic.”

As part of the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee’s Ocean to Everglades (O2E) environmental platform, the Host Committee partnered with Ocean Conservancy, The Everglades Foundation and NFL Green to create a stage for environmental events, education and sustainability efforts throughout South Florida. At Tuesday’s cleanup, more than 300 people attended, including PepsiCo, a member of Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas Alliance.

“The Miami Super Bowl Host Committee is proud to have worked with Ocean Conservancy, our O2E Ocean Partner, on highlighting South Florida’s important coast as a part of preparations for Super Bowl LIV,” said Rodney Barreto, Chairman and President of the Miami Super Bowl Host Committee. “As we celebrate South Florida’s 11th record breaking Super Bowl and the NFL’s 100th season, we thank Ocean Conservancy for prioritizing sustainability and environmental responsibility.”

In order to reach the goal of removing and diverting 54 tons, volunteers and organizations supported #TeamOcean at the following initiatives throughout the NFL season:

• Miami Super Bowl Host Committee Internal Reductions – February 2019-Present
  • The Miami Super Bowl Host Committee reduced its plastic output in their offices and at events 

• International Coastal Cleanup, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park – September 21, 2019
  • For the 34th annual ICC, which is the largest single-day volunteer event on behalf of the ocean, Historic Virginia Key Beach Park was the flagship cleanup site on the east coast. Cleanup partners from across Florida also contributed their collection to the season removal goal.

• Miami Dolphins Tri-County Cleanups – October 12, 2019
  • Ocean Conservancy, the Miami Dolphins and Dolphins season ticket holders joined for simultaneous cleanups in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

• Sugarloaf Showdown and Veteran’s Month Remote Cleanup in the Florida Keys – November 1-4, 2019
  • Ocean Conservancy, the Lower Keys Guides Association and disabled veterans group, Project Healing Waters Fly Fishing, removed two tons of ocean plastic, ghost gear and debris from Key West waters. The annual Sugarloaf Showdown fishing tournament also went plastic free for the first time.

• NFL’s My Cause My Cleats Initiative – December 8, 2019 and December 22, 2019
  • Ocean Conservancy teamed up with seven NFL players for this season’s My Cause My Cleats initiative in support of ocean health. For the fourth season of My Cause My Cleats, players showcased causes that were important to them with custom cleats during Week 14 games. The players representing Ocean Conservancy on their cleats spanned from Miami to San Francisco, including: Chris Conley (Jacksonville Jaguars), Raheem Mostert (San Francisco 49ers), Johnathan Jenkins (Miami Dolphins), Jahlani Tavai (Detroit Lions), Kaleb McGary (Atlanta Falcons), Geremy Davis (Los Angeles Chargers) and D’Ernest Johnson (Cleveland Browns).
    • #TeamOcean eBay Auction: You can bid on the player’s cleats from now through February 5, 2020 and all proceeds will go to Ocean Conservancy’s work in Florida.

• City of Miami Shores Forward Partnership – December 12, 2019
  • The City of Miami became the first ever “Shores Forward” partner, a new initiative led by Ocean Conservancy with local governments in the fight to conserve Florida’s most treasured asset: its marine environment. It will focus on five key issue areas identified in Ocean Conservancy’s new Currents and Crossroads report: Water quality, marine wildlife, education and outreach, marine debris and carbon pollution. Recent and upcoming initiatives include:
    • City of Miami Cleanups and Scavenger Boat – Ongoing
      • Since March 2019, the City of Miami and volunteer groups have collected over 35 tons of litter at over 50 events. Additionally, the City’s water decontamination vessel, called Scavenger 2000, removes over 5,000 cubic feet of floating marine debris per year
    • Miami Storm Drain Markers – Spring, 2020
      • The City of Miami and Ocean Conservancy are working together on a stencil storm drain program to educate K-5 students on the importance of protecting Biscayne Bay. This will help mark the city’s storm drains with “no dumping” markers, raising awareness for the general public about the connection between what happens on city streets and the health of the bay.

• Miami Hotels Offer Ocean Friendly Vacations – January 2020
  • The Mandarin Oriental Miami and The Palms Hotel & Spa are joining #TeamOcean this year by participating in beach cleanups, making onsite plastic diversion and reductions and highlighting sustainable Florida fisheries.

• Ocean Conservancy Booth at Super Bowl LIVE – January 25 – February 1
  • Ocean Conservancy has an activation within Super Bowl LIVE’s Environmental Village where visitors can walk under the waves and see the ocean in a different light.

For more information about Ocean Conservancy’s work for the Super Bowl and how to help out in the future, visit oceanconservancy.org/protecting-florida/2020-miami-super-bowl/ or follow @OurOcean.

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About Ocean Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy is working with you to protect the ocean from today’s greatest global challenges. Together, we create science-based solutions for a healthy ocean and the wildlife and communities that depend on it. For more information, visit www.oceanconservancy.org , or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

About Miami Super Bowl Host Committee
The Miami Super Bowl Host Committee brings together our community’s top local business leaders, community representatives, tourism officials and football personnel around a common cause – making Super Bowl LIV a historic experience both for visitors and for locals across South Florida. On February 2, 2020, South Florida will host its record-breaking 11th game at the newly renovated Hard Rock Stadium. Additionally, Super Bowl LIV will mark the culmination of the 100th season anniversary of the NFL, and will feature special events and activities throughout Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties as part of the festivities. For more information, visit www.MIASBLIV.com.