Latest news with #5000RoleModelsofExcellenceProject
Hindustan Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Who is Darrin Gayles? Meet the Obama-appointed judge handling Trump's $10B lawsuit against Murdoch, WSJ
The federal judge who has been assigned to take care of President Donald Trump's $10 billion lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal is Darrin P. Gayles, a former federal prosecutor who was appointed by Barack Obama. Who is Darrin Gayles? Meet the Obama-appointed judge presiding over Trump's $10B lawsuit against Murdoch and WSJ (U.S. Department of Justice - LinkedIn) Gayles, a United States District Judge for the Southern District of Florida, is a former US attorney who was appointed by Obama in 2014. At the time, a vote of 98-0 unanimously confirmed him in the Senate. Gayles went on to become the first openly gay Black man to serve on the federal bench. His appointment to Trump's case happened randomly. Trump's lawsuit was filed in federal court in Miami on July 18. It accuses the newspaper, its parent companies, executives and journalists of falsely claiming that Trump wrote a 50th birthday card to Jeffrey Epstein in 2003. Trump's lawsuit reportedly names Rupert Murdoch and his News Corp, WSJ publisher Dow Jones, executive Robert Thomson, and two WSJ journalists whose bylines were there in the story. Who is Darrin Gayles? Gayles served as a judge of Florida's 11th Judicial Circuit for over ten years in the past, according to St. Thomas University's website. 'Judge Gayles was appointed to the County Court of that circuit by former Florida Governor Jeb Bush in 2004. In 2011, former Florida Governor Charlie Crist elevated Judge Gayles to the Circuit Court, where he served until his federal appointment. Judge Gayles was retained on both courts without opposition in 2006 and 2012, respectively,' the website states. Gates is a graduate of Howard University and The George Washington University Law School. His career in law began in 1993 as an Assistant State Attorney in Miami-Dade County, Florida. He subsequently worked for the U.S. Department of Justice as an Assistant District Counsel for the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). He later worked as Assistant United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and served in that office's Appellate, Major Crimes, and Narcotics Sections until he was appointed to the County Court in 2004. Gayles is notably a former co-chairman of the 11th Judicial Circuit's (Florida) Professionalism Committee. He actively volunteers in many of South Florida's civic and charitable organizations, including Big Brothers/Big Sisters, 100 Black Men of South Florida, and the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project.
Miami Herald
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead to retire from NFL after 12 seasons
A dozen seasons. Five Pro Bowls. Two teams. After 12 years in the NFL, Terron Armstead will retire, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The star offensive tackle is expected to confirm his retirement Saturday night. At 33, Armstead could've stayed around another year or two. But after three consecutive seasons plagued by various injuries, the former Arkansas Pine-Bluff standout decided to call it quits. Armstead signed a five-year, $75-million deal with the Dolphins ahead of the 2022 season. Immediately, he became one of the most prominent voices in the locker room. 'What a huge piece of our team he is,' coach Mike McDaniel said in early January. 'Just in terms of where we started off and where our mindset is in tough times or in good times, he's one of the guys that everyone looks to. You're always hopeful for that. I'm not taking him for granted for any moment.' The New Orleans Saints selected Armstead in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He spent the first nine years of his career with the Saints, accumulating three Pro Bowls and even a second-team All-Pro selection. With Armstead's retirement, the Dolphins are now in serious need of leadership. An Iron Man through and through, Armstead's toughness was consistently praised, particularly at the end of the 2024 season as he battled knee injuries. 'It's about being a pro and I think that's something I've learned a lot from [Armstead] and how he approaches a week, how he's able to do his work throughout a week and then go out and perform unbelievably, All-Pro levels for the past few years now,' fullback Alec Ingold said. 'I think that's a great example to follow. A lot of the younger guys looking at those types of people.' 'He's a dawg,' quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said Nov. 20. 'There's been a lot of things that he's been dealing with injury-wise and I've got a lot of respect – tremendous amount of respect – for him being able to fight through those and still go out there and compete and play to protect me, to protect our backs and to protect our ball carriers.' Speculations about his probable retirement immediately began to swirl following the end of 2024 season. At the NFL Combine, McDaniel made headlines with his comments about Armstead. 'He's going to take his time with his family and loved ones and make that decision because it's not an easy one,' McDaniel said Feb. 25. That same day, Armstead and the Dolphins agreed to restructure his current deal to create more cap space. 'But we will be operating as though we're moving on in that way simply for the execution of free agency and the draft.' Armstead, however, is well-suited for retirement as he has ingratiated himself in the Miami community. Not only does Armstead impact the next generation of young people through his eponymous organization, he was recently inducted into the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a nonprofit mentorship organization founded by Congresswoman Frederica Wilson. 'We're so proud and honored to have him interested in helping the next generation and lifting them up and guiding them,' Wilson said of Armstead. 'That's what mentorship is all about and that's what successful people like him should do.' Added Wilson: 'He is a great role model not just for young boys but for all athletes.'
