Braxton Berrios returns to the Miami Dolphins for his second year, further solidifying his love for the city.
Full BOSS look, hugoboss.com; Photographed by Josh Aronson styled by Manuela Gutierrez creative direction by SKMCREATIVE.CO, grooming by Cesar Ferrette shot on location at 733 Middle River Drive, Fort Lauderdale, listed for $47.9 million by Rick Teed with The Agency
While many little boys dream of growing up and becoming professional athletes, very few actually get to do so. Take that a step further, and even fewer get to play for the team whose jerseys they grew up wearing since taking their first steps. This isn’t lost on Miami Dolphins wide receiver Braxton Berrios (@braxtonberrios). As we chat about his return to the Dolphins for a second year, he simply sums it up as quite literally a dream come true.
“My dad’s whole side of the family is from Miami, so I grew up coming down here and was a Miami Hurricanes and Miami Dolphins fan my whole life,” Berrios recalls. “I have photos of me running around the house wearing the Dan Marino jersey and the helmet from when I was just a baby.”
Full BOSS look, hugoboss.com; Photographed by Josh Aronson
Berrios turned this dream into reality during undergrad when he committed to the University of Miami to play as a Miami Hurricane (for those unfamiliar, the college team actually gets to play on the same field as the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium). A few years later, after graduation, Berrios once again got to return to the iconic stadium—which he shares is his favorite in the entire NFL—as a Miami Dolphin, bringing his childhood dream full circle.
“When you’re able to live out something you’ve dreamed of your whole life, you feel that all the sacrifices you made to get there are so worth it,” he says. “To be back in Miami again and wear the Dolphins logo on the side of my helmet is nothing short of an honor.”
Fendi top and bottom, fendi.com; Davidor ring, davidor.com; RIOCAM x g.o.d sunglasses, thewebster.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
As he’s entering the season, Berrios is excited and focused on setting out to win.
“The team feels different this year,” he remarks. “This group of guys is amazing. We’re very close, so it’s really fun.”
BOSS leather jacket, hugoboss.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
“This is the third organization of my career, and when you walk into the building, there’s just a certain aura that you feel—it’s competitive, but it’s also a close-knit group, a family environment. And you know that everyone here is willing to do whatever it takes to win. It’s built from the head coach down, and everyone feels it. On the field, we’re ultra-competitive, but when we’re in the locker room, we’re bonding and having fun—the chemistry is high, and we genuinely enjoy being around each other.”
It’s clear when meeting Berrios that his work ethic is unmatched, and that shows on and off the field. With everything he does, he’s professional and timely. From arriving on set for our cover shoot before our call time (a rarity!) to dialing in for our interview just one minute after his day of practice ended, it’s no surprise that Berrios has achieved the goal he set for himself as a young boy. Of course, that drive is tenfold on the field, both during the off-season and NFL season.
“When the season ends, I give my body until the Super Bowl to heal, and then I get back to training. I have specific trainers for each of the needs to get my body back working at its best, and I like to keep both an exercise and nutrition routine constant,” he says. “During the season, it all boils down to recovery. You will never be as healthy as you are in the first game—it’s a violent sport, and your body takes a toll. So you have to be on top of your recovery schedule to keep performing, whether through the ice bath, hot tub, massages, stretching or any modality we use to accelerate this process.”
But, of course, living in Miami makes all the work a bit easier, which Berrios is grateful for. During his free time, you’ll find him on the golf course perfecting his game, diving into the ocean in Key Biscayne, or taking a boat out to enjoy the Miami waters with his family, friends and girlfriend, Alix Earle.
LOEWE leather pants, loewe.com; Hanes tank, hanes.com; Davidor ring and bracelet, davidor.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
“Miami can kind of be anything you want it to be, right?” he notes. “You can have a slow day, stay inside lounging, or have one of the craziest days and nights of your life. You can also chill, play golf, go to the beach, shop, take a boat out—whatever you want. The best part is that it’s all at your fingertips because the Miami lifestyle is just so vast. That’s easily my favorite thing about living here. Sure, you can do some of those things in other cities, but the ease and versatility of the city is just unmatched.”
Ralph Lauren Purple Label polo and shorts, ralphlauren.com; Burberry trenchcoat, burberry.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
For that reason and many more, Berrios’ love for the city extends beyond the field. Outside of his career as a professional athlete, he’s amassed an impressive portfolio of investments, many of which are Miami-based companies. He shares that his first investment was The Long Drink, a sparkling citrus and real liquor canned cocktail started by Miami resident Evan Burns. He was introduced to the brand by close friend and fellow entrepreneur Myles Shear, co-founder of Palm Tree Crew, of which Berrios is also invested.
Full BOSS look, hugoboss.com; Photographed by Josh Aronson
“I love investing in early-stage companies. For the last five or six years, I’ve spent my off time looking at pitch decks and investing in companies that interest me. If it’s something to be consumed, like a drink or food, my questions are first: Will I use this? Will I eat this? Does it taste good? And for that, something like Long Drink checked all the boxes. I’ve also invested in a Miami-based startup called Betr, a sports media company and sports book. I saw a need for it, I believed in its founders and leaders, and they’ve done a great job.”
Astrum top and bottoms, astrum-house.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
Next, Berrios will enter his first hospitality venture as an investor in the upcoming Mother Wolf restaurant debuting in the Miami Design District.
“This was cool for me because I’ve wanted to learn more about the restaurant/hospitality business. I met the team at Mother Wolf and couldn’t be more excited to be involved with them this fall. Currently I’m a partner in Almost Home, a coffee shop and breakfast concept based out of New Jersey,” he says.
Our Lady of Rocco jacket, ourladyofrocco.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
“In total, I am involved with over 10 companies, a couple of buildings in the Northeast, and the coffee shops and the restaurant, so I try to spread my investments out. It’s something that keeps me sharp. It’s obviously not something I do during my day job, but it’s great to have it to continue with when football is eventually over for me,” he says.
For the present, Berrios is focused on winning, of course, but most importantly, soaking it all in and appreciating the place he’s at in his life. He’s quick to answer when I ask him what keeps him motivated.
Our Lady of Rocco jacket, ourladyofrocco.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
“Firstly, it’s realizing that I’m here because of the culmination of people who have helped me along the way. From my parents driving me to practices and games from when I was a toddler to coaches and teammates, my friends and family, I feel that I have a lot of people to prove right, and I owe it to them to give my best on the field,” he says. “And second, I think there’s something to be said that I’ve had one goal my whole life. It was never to work anywhere else or do anything else. It was to play in the NFL. And I’m one of the few people in this world who get to live out their childhood dream. That’s not lost on me. I owe it to myself to give this my all. I want to pour as much as I can into it while I can soak up and enjoy every minute of the season because, one day, it’ll be just a memory.”
Grateful and disciplined are descriptors that immediately come to mind when learning about who Braxton Berrios is. But there’s also something to be said for his appreciation of simplicity and happiness, which is something I think all of us in Miami should learn to model.
Dior suit, dior.com; Davidor ring, davidor.com. Photographed by Josh Aronson
“You know what makes me truly happy?” he asks. “Every day I walk outside, and I make it a point to look at where I live. I’ve lived in a lot of beautiful places along the East Coast, but there’s just something about a palm tree that produces this incredible feeling of serotonin for me. When I wake up early in the morning and I drive to work, I get to look at palm trees along the way against the sunrise. That is something that just fulfills me and another reason why Miami is my favorite place.”
Best shopping: Miami Design District
Best going-out spot: E11EVEN Miami
Best date night destination: Casa Tua in the garden
Best spa: Faena Hotel’s Tierra Santa Spa
Favorite hotel: I love the 1 Hotel South Beach and also Faena Hotel.
Favorite lunch spot: Mandolin
Go-to beach: Crandon Park on Key Biscayne
When you have out-of-town visitors, we can find you at... El Bagel or Greenstreet
Favorite overall place in Miami: My house, filled with the people I care most about
Photography by: Photos By: Josh Aronson
