Dolphins' Davone Bess Spending Time Digging Ditches

Out of all the things that some NFL players have done to kill time during the lockout, Miami Dolphins receiver Davone Bess may have picked the most physically grueling assignment although it is for a cause.

Bess has spent the last two weeks in Costa Rica chopping trees with a machete, digging 200 yards of drainage ditches, and laying tile for the people of Canitas as part of a Global Volunteers crusade.

Bess and others have been helping prepare the town of Canitas for the rainy season.

"I had an epiphany one night. With all I've been through on and off the field God has put me in a position to be a difference maker and to change lives," said Bess, who signed a three-year, $9 million contract extension midway through last season.



"If I can help someone make a difference and impact someone's life I want to do that to the best of my ability."

Davone Bess in Costa Rica

From what I've read, Bess does a lot of charity work so it really comes as no surprise. Just when you hear of someone going to Costa Rica you don't think of them going to dig ditches or knock down some trees.

"We've all been doing an incredible amount of physical labor, and Davone and the guys have been leading the way," said Cathy Cunningham, a Arizona native who befriended Bess on the missionary trip. "They've been chopping down trees, digging the drainage ditches and all kinds of stuff. Davone hasn't been a celebrity. He's not on vacation. He's been one of the hardest workers."

Bess also brought down soccer and football supplies for the children of Canitas through his sponsorship with Adidas.

Kudos to Bess and hopefully he can have more success on the football field.