Current and former Miami Dolphins players discussed the charitable contributions of retiring Dolphins standout Jason Taylor during the annual 3Cinteractive JT’s Ping-Pong Smash at the Hard Rock Live near Hollywood.

The event benefited the Jason Taylor 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.

Taylor and his wife Katina — like former Miami Heat star Alonzo Mourning and his wife Tracy — continue to help better the community. Staples in South Florida, they provide opportunity for the area’s youth.

Usually athletes host golf tournaments or bowling events, but ping-pong is a unique charity concept, pairing business people with athletes and celebrities.

The event offered a good mix of talent including current and former Miami Dolphins, former Florida Marlins, DJs and radio personalities. Taylor, a former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, plays his final game on Sunday against the rival New York Jets.

• Miami Dolphins defensive end Ryan Baker said: “It’s really cool seeing all these celebrities out here, interacting with all these kids and playing ping-pong. It’s real competitive, but we’re having a great time for a great cause.”

How was your ping-pong game?

“It was rusty at the beginning,” Baker said, “but I picked it up and did real well.”

What’s it like being involved in charity event and giving back to the community?

“Well, Jason’s the king at that,” Baker said. “He does a great job, and I like to take notes at what he does. So hopefully I can do that for the Ryan Baker Foundation.”

• Former Miami Dolphins tight end and South Florida radio and television sports personality Joe Rose said: “This is a lot of fun. It’s a different type of a charity event than we usually do. It’s a different atmosphere, a different environment and everybody can play. So it’s a great time, and also it’s nice to see the active players and a lot of the former players here.”

Rose’s ping-pong game is pretty good.

Rose said: “Not really. My game is not very good. I wish it was better.”

• Former Miami Dolphins receiver Randal Thrill Hill had a smile on his game face.

“It’s a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s all about the kids, but I like competition. I don’t care if it’s ping-pong or anything. So being able to help the kids is added fun for me, because it’s all about the competition — whether it be ping-pong, jacks, hop-scotch. I don’t care. It’s all about winning and having fun.

“I’ve won [JT’s Ping-Pong Smash] a couple of years. I’ve been in it four years. Two years I didn’t have a good partner.”

• Miami Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby said: “It was an awesome event. I had a blast — giving back to the community and having fun with the fellas. I loved it.”

Dansby wanted to reach the final round.

“My [ping-pong] game was OK,” he said. “Unfortunately I didn’t make it to the last round, but it’s OK. I did all right.”