The heartbreaking reason behind Kevin Coleman's new Dolphins number

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The heartbreaking reason behind Kevin Coleman's new Dolphins number

Joe Schad, Palm Beach Post · Palm Beach Post

Thu, Sep 10, 2026 ·

2 min read

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MIAMI GARDENS ― Very few wide receivers have worn jersey No. 21, so when Miami Dolphins rookie Kevin Coleman Jr. recently switched to that number, some wondered why.

There couldn't be a more important reason.

"When 21 popped open, I thought about my brother instantly," Coleman said in the Dolphins locker room. "My brother passed away October 21st, 2008."

Coleman's brother, 18‑month‑old Rashaad, was killed by gunfire in a St. Louis suburb that night.

Reports indicate shots were fired from another vehicle into their vehicle . Kevin, who at the time was 5 years old, and his brother, witnessed the tragic incident from the back seat.

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PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMERS MARK DUPER AND MARK CLAYTON:
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 4: Wide receiver Mark Duper #85 and Mark Clayton #83 of the Miami Dolphins talk during a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium on October 4, 1992 in Orchard Park, New York. The Dolphins won 37-10. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

(Rick Stewart, Getty Images)

MIAMI - DECEMBER 15: (L-R) Newly inducted members of the Dolphins' Hall Of Fame, Mark Clayton #83, and Mark Duper #85, share a laugh as they hang out on the sideline during the Miami Dolphins game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 15, 2003 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Eagles defeated the Dolphins 34-27. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
(Eliot J. Schechter, Getty Images)

SAN DIEGO, 1991: Receiver Mark Duper #85 of the Miami Dolphins carries the ball against San Diego Chargers during the NFL game on Dec. 16, 1991 at Jack Murphy Stadium in San Diego, California. The Chargers defeated the Dolphins 38-30. **Miami Dolphins schedule 2026**

(Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

ANAHEIM, CA - DECEMBER 14: Wide receiver Mark Clayton #83 of the Miami Dolphins tries to break a tackle by defensive back Jerry Gray #25 of the Los Angeles Rams during a game at Anaheim Stadium on December 14, 1986 in Anaheim, California. The Dolphins won 37-31 in overtime. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
(George Rose, Getty Images)

**TYREEK HILL**:
HOUSTON, TEXAS - DECEMBER 15: Tyreek Hill #10 of the Miami Dolphins catches a pass defended by Calen Bullock #21 of the Houston Texans during the third quarter at NRG Stadium on December 15, 2024 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

(Tim Warner, Getty Images)

Sep 18, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) celebrates with one of his signature flips after scoring a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

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**NAT MOORE:**
Jan 20, 1985; Stanford, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins Nat Moore (89) runs with the ball pursued by San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Michael Carter (95) during Super Bowl XIX at Stanford Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Dolphins 38-16. **When was the last time the Dolphins were in the Super Bowl?**

(Manny Rubio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 21, 1984; Foxboro, MA, USA: FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins receiver Nat Moore (89) runs past New England Patriots defensive back Rick Sanford (25) at Foxboro Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
(Dick Raphael-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

**PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAMER PAUL WARFIELD:**Dec. 25, 1971; Kansas City, MO, USA; FILE PHOTO; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Emmitt Thomas (18) defends on a pass reception by Miami Dolphins wide receiver Paul Warfield (42) at Municipal Stadium during the 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff game. Miami won 27-24 in two overtime periods in the longest game ever played in the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Rod Hanna-USA TODAY Sports

(Rod Hanna-US PRESSWIRE, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Jan 13, 1974; Houston, TX, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins head coach Don Shula talks to receiver Paul Warfield (42) on the sidelines against the Minnesota Vikings during Super Bowl VIII at Rice Stadium. Miami defeated Minnesota 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports
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Aug 2, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Paul Warfield at the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinees Gold Jacket Dinner at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. **See more photos of Paul Warfield**

(Kirby Lee, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

**JAYLEN WADDLE:**Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

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Dec 7, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (17) makes a catch for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-Imagn Images
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**JARVIS LANDRY:**MIAMI GARDENS, FL - DECEMBER 11: Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown by teammate Jakeem Grant #19 in the third quarter against the New England Patriots at Hard Rock Stadium on December 11, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

(Chris Trotman, Getty Images)

ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 15: Jarvis Landry #14 of the Miami Dolphins is tackled after pulling in this reception against Ricardo Allen #37 of the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on October 15, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Images)

**CHRIS CHAMBERS:**MIAMI - DECEMBER 03: Wide receiver Chris Chambers #84 of the Miami Dolphins catches a long pass from quarterback Joey Harrington #3 in the first quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Dolphin Stadium on December 3, 2006 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

(Doug Benc, Getty Images)

MIAMI - NOVEMBER 13: Wide receiver Chris Chambers #84 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates his touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first half on November 13, 2005 at Miami Dolphins Stadium in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images)
(Eliot J. Schechter, Getty Images)

**O.J. McDUFFIE**:
OAKLAND, UNITED STATES: Miami Dolphins wide-receiver O.J. McDuffie (R) hauls in a catch from Miami backup quarterback Damon Huard as Oakland Raiders cornerback Darrien Gordon tries to defend during the first half 31 October, 1999, in Oakland, California. The Dolphins defeated the Raiders, 16-9. AFP PHOTO/John G. Mabanglo (Photo credit should read JOHN G. MABANGLO/AFP via Getty Images)

(JOHN G. MABANGLO, AFP via Getty Images)

Miami Dolphin quarterback Dan Marino celebrates with receiver O.J. McDuffie after McDuffie caught Marino's 400th career touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints 29 November at Pro Player Stadium In Miami, Florida. The Dolphins beat the Saints 30-10 (Photo by RHONA WISE/AFP via Getty Images) **15 'notable' quarterbacks in Miami Dolphins franchise history**

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**DURIEL HARRIS:**Jan 30, 1983; Pasadena, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins receiver Duriel Harris (82) resists the tackle of Washington Redskins defensive back Vernon Dean (32) during Super Bowl XVII at the Rose Bowl. The Redskins defeated the Dolphins 27-17. Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports

(Manny Rubio, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Unknown date; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Miami Dolphins receiver Duriel Harris (82) reacts after a touchdown. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
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**BRIAN HARTLINE:**Sept. 8, 2013; Cleveland, OH, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) grabs a 34-yd touchdown pass ahead of the defense of Cleveland Browns cornerback Buster Skrine (22) during the third quarter at FirstEnergy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

(Ken Blaze, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Aug 9, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins wide receiver Brian Hartline (82) looks to the sidelines during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Everbank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
(Melina Vastola, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

"I always pray for and always wanted to put my brother's situation out there and just lift his name up and make his legacy," Coleman said.

Coleman hopes to see a reduction in gun violence in society in his lifetime.

"I just wanna let the youth and let other people know it's other things we can do," Coleman said. "I feel like it would be a big thing if the world just learned how to communicate. It's dreaming more about things we can go achieve instead of just throwing our life away."

Aug 22, 2026; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; New York Giants defensive back Jason Pinnock (25) breaks up a pass intended for Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (83) during the first quarter of a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images

Coleman was wearing jersey No. 83 with Miami, which was of course once famously worn by Mark Clayton.

Rookie tight end Seydou Traore has switched to jersey No. 83.

As for No. 21, it's been worn by two pretty good receivers.

Calvin Johnson wore No. 21 with Georgia Tech.

And Cliff Branch wore No. 21 with the Raiders .

They are both members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.

Coleman said that he and his family have decided to celebrate friendship and love on the anniversary of his brother's death. They're trying to turn a tragic memory into a positive one.

"I know when I got 21, I'm playing for myself, but I'm also just playing for him (Rashaad) as well," Coleman said. "And I know he's watching me. I wear a necklace and it's a picture of him on my necklace and it just reminds me every day to keep doing great things and keep striving for him."

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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe . Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work by subscribing today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: The heartbreaking reason behind Kevin Coleman's new Dolphins number

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