DALLAS, Feb. 8, 2024 — Announced during the NFL PLAY 60 Super Bowl LVIII Fitness Break Broadcast which aired virtually in classrooms earlier today, three schools have been recognized as national grant winners in the NFL PLAY 60 Movement Moment Matchups, a series that invited classrooms across the country to get active with the 32 NFL clubs throughout the fall. The winners are Beasley Elementary School in St. Louis, Mo., Birchview Elementary School in Ishpeming, Mich. and Shelton Elementary School in Golden, Colo. The three schools will each receive $1,000 grants to use for physical activity equipment for their school.
Movement Moment Matchups are part of the suite of NFL PLAY 60 activities designed to inspire kids to get active both in the classroom and at home to get active for at least 60 minutes a day. Held from October to December, the NFL PLAY 60 Movement Moment Matchups series mirrored the NFL schedule by pairing up teams playing each week. Classrooms were asked to follow along with NFL club on-demand exercise videos and then vote for their favorite in the matchup. The three classrooms with the most votes at the end of the series were named the national winners and are the recipients of a $1,000 NFL PLAY 60 Youth Health and Wellness grant.
“The American Heart Association and the NFL have teamed up to inspire kids to get moving to support their overall wellness by pairing fun with health fundamentals to drive life-long wellness through NFL PLAY 60,” said American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown. “As we enter the next century of work by the American Heart Association, we will continue to be laser focused to propel physical and mental health in children so they can grow to their full potential.”
The American Heart Association and the NFL offer students, teachers and families different ways to add movement minutes to their daily goal of 60 minutes of play. The videos featured in the Movement Moment Matchups series are available year-round in the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library. The library features two-to-three minute on-demand exercise videos from each of the 32 NFL teams featuring players, NFL Legends, cheerleaders and mascots.
The Fitness Break broadcasts are a series of three 15-minute synchronous broadcasts that get students moving with sneak peeks into the NFL season Kickoff, Super Bowl and Draft. The last Fitness Break broadcast of this school year, the NFL Draft broadcast, will air on April 25 at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. CT/ 10 a.m. PT. Advanced registration is required.
The NFL PLAY 60 app, free and available for iOS and Android devices, allows users to select their favorite team and control personalized avatars onscreen with their own physical movement. Users can create custom workouts and earn special PLAY points and unlock cool NFL gear for on-screen PLAY 60 avatars.
Rooted in American Heart Association science, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative helps children to develop healthy habits for a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The program encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans[1]. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are key to immediate and long-term health for children.
“For 17 years, we’ve been honored to work with the American Heart Association to encourage and support youth in getting a minimum of 60 minutes of physical activity each day” said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “Today’s commitment will ensure that students at each of these three schools have the opportunity to stay active and healthy during the school day.”
The NFL and the American Heart Association have been teaming up since 2006 to inspire kids through fun and engaging ways to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. The impact of physical activity on overall mental and physical wellness is essential to help children grow to reach their full potential. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and additional grant opportunities can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
Additional Resources:
- Multimedia is available in the right column of the release link.
- Spanish news release
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About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. We are dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities. Through collaboration with numerous organizations, and powered by millions of volunteers, we fund innovative research, advocate for the public’s health and share lifesaving resources. The Dallas-based organization has been a leading source of health information for a century. During 2024 - our Centennial year - we celebrate our rich 100-year history and accomplishments. As we forge ahead into our second century of bold discovery and impact our vision is to advance health and hope for everyone, everywhere. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About NFL PLAY 60
NFL PLAY 60 is the League’s national youth health and wellness platform. In its 17th season, the initiative empowers millions of youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and provides support for programs and resources so that kids everywhere can lead a healthy lifestyle. Alongside the NFL’s 32 NFL clubs and partners, the PLAY 60 movement will continue to serve and motivate the next generation of youth to get active and PLAY 60. For more information, visit NFL.com/PLAY60.