John Offerdahl became a household word in South Florida when he was a linebacker for the Miami Dolphins from 1986-1993. One of the team’s most-popular players, he was named to the Pro Bowl five times (1986-90).
John and his wife, Lynn, went into the restaurant business full time after he left football. They started Offerdahl’s Bagel Gourmet, which opened in 1989 in Weston. By the time they sold the business in 1995, the chain had grown to 10 South Florida stores — six in Broward County, two in Palm Beach County and two in Miami-Dade.
This month they are celebrating the first anniversary of Offerdahl’s Raw Juice in Weston. The eat-in/takeout restaurant is in the fast-food mode but features freshly prepared entrees, sandwiches, soups and blender drinks made with nutritious ingredients.
My Favorite Thing: “Our Norwegian family Bible,” which has been in the Offerdahl family for 114 years.
Where He Got It: The Bible was handed down through generations, beginning with his great-great grandfather, Nils Offerdahl, who was born in 1861.
“It’s noted in the Bible that he got it in 1885, but we don’t know how he came by it; perhaps it was a wedding present,” Offerdahl says. “My father gave it to me a few years ago and some day I’ll pass it on to my [eldest] son.” (The Offerdahls have one daughter and two sons.)
The pages are fragile to the shredding point. The leather cover is darkened with age and feels hard, like old wood, says Offerdahl, but it still has the original binding.
“We keep it on a table in our living room, but we rarely touch it,” he says.
Why He Loves It: “It’s a cornerstone of our family, a symbol of the Offerdahl family lineage,” Offerdahl says.
“It’s also become the foundation of our family’s mission statement, which Lynn and I wrote together several years ago: ‘Our family will seek to honor God by leading balanced and healthy lives as we worship, work, serve, learn and play together. To strengthen us in these pursuits we will create a home full of love, forgiveness, self-control and trust within an atmosphere of encouragement and joy.'”
