With a sheepish grin, Zach Thomas held the championship belt and said, “I finally won something.”

The modest Thomas already won the hearts of many Miami Dolphins’ fans when he starred at linebacker for the Fish, giving his all on the gridiron.

This was post-Joe Robbie Stadium.

Thomas was referring to winning the 3Cinteractive JT’s Ping-Pong Smash 8 at Hard Rock Live near Hollywood. Thomas had some help, teaming with Gray Hardy of Publix, the event’s presenting sponsor.

Miami Dolphins standout Jason Taylor presented the championship belt to the winning tandem. Tournament hosts, Taylor and his wife, Katina, also competed, but it was Thomas who won family bragging rights.

Katina is Thomas’ sister, making Taylor his brother-in-law. And friends longer.

The Jason Taylor Foundation organized this original celebrity, doubles table-tennis tournament.

Proceeds benefited the foundation, whose mission is to support and create programs that facilitate the personal growth and empowerment of South Florida’s children in need by focusing on improved health care, education and quality of life.

This one-of-a-kind event paired community members with some of the Sunshine State’s most recognizable personalities from the worlds of sports and entertainment including many current and former Miami Dolphins players, former Florida Marlins, Miami Dolphins cheerleaders, Footy, DJ Irie, Taylor and Marlo Garcia Perez.

The duos competed in a round-robin style ping-pong tournament while raising money for local children’s charities.

Results: Champions: Zach Thomas and Gray Hardy of Publix.

Second: Reggie Givens and Sunil Sagar of Galvan Messick, LLP.

Third: Randal Hill and Keith Diamond.

Fourth: Terry Kirby and Steve Sadaka of Steven Douglas Associates.

The fun-filled, electric atmosphere featured DJ Laz of Power96 filling the arena with today’s hottest music, in addition to the LuckyFan Fun Zone, where those in attendance enjoyed a Best Buy gaming station, hair cuts, interactive games and more.

Prior to the action, JTF hosted the fourth-annual Ping-Pong Smash Kids Clinic — presented by the Miami Dolphins. Nearly 100 deserving children learned the fundamentals of the world’s fastest sport from former Puerto Rican Junior National Table Tennis Champion and two-time JT’s Ping-Pong Smash Champion Juan Ly.

Following the event, participants attended the Hooters Champions’ Celebration for the awards ceremony, a silent auction and fun.

In addition to 3Cinteractive, Publix, Hooters, the Miami Dolphins and LuckyFan, other supporters included 560 WQAM, Best Buy, Envy Motoring, Fastboats.com, Flanigan’s Seafood Bar & Grill, Galvan Messick, LLP, Gerlinde & Michael Photography, Gibraltar Private Bank & Trust, Global Wealth Management, Adam D. Harmelin, Inko Dada, Invicta Watch Company, Joe Rose, Killerspin, The Law Offices of Lawrence Zieper, Big Dick’s Muscle Cars, PopGraphicsUSA.com, ProCamps, Redline Media Group, Saveology, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel, Seminole Tribe of Florida, Steven Douglas Associates, UB Chillin’, URep Authentic and Veteran Roofing.

• Ping-pong is more a small man’s game.

Former Miami Dolphins defensive lineman Jeff Cross, a very big man who struggled with his game, said: “I was who I thought I was.”

• Visit jasontaylorfoundation.org or facebook.com/jasontaylorfoundation.