Nationwide, 34 local schools win NFL PLAY 60 grants to help students move more

(Press-News.org) DALLAS, Feb. 6, 2025 — Physical activity positively impacts overall mental and physical wellness which is essential to help children reach their full potential[1]. That is why the American Heart Association, committed to changing the future of health, and the National Football League (NFL) are awarding 34 schools, at least one for each of the NFL teams, with $1,000 grants for physical activity equipment. Through support from the NFL, the NFL PLAY 60 grants are distributed by the American Heart Association annually to recognize those classrooms and schools who are committed to moving for at least 60 minutes each day. To be eligible for this year’s grant, classes participated in the NFL PLAY 60 Daily Movement Moment Challenge.

Held in Oct. 2024, the Daily Movement Moment Challenge encouraged classrooms to get moving through the NFL PLAY 60 app, available free on iOS and Android devices. Utilizing the daily “Movement Moment” feature of the app, students incorporated movement into their day by following an NFL PLAY 60 avatar who guided them through different daily exercises. Teachers tracked completion of the daily Movement Moment and submitted their tracker for an opportunity to receive a grant.

“At the American Heart Association, our future is all about improving yours,” said American Heart Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown. “For 18 years, 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. In this next century of work, the American Heart Association will continue to be laser focused to propel physical and mental health in children.”  

The winners were announced today during the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break broadcast held in advance of Super Bowl LIX. The Fitness Break broadcast series delivers an action-packed, 15-minute synchronously streamed broadcast to help students add movement to their school day in advance of this weekend’s big game. This year’s Super Bowl broadcast featured Super Bowl host city team, the New Orleans Saints, along with the host of Super Bowl LX the San Francisco 49ers, the current AFC champions the Kansas City Chiefs and NFC champions the Philadelphia Eagles. On-demand playback of the Fitness Break broadcasts is available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.

In addition to the broadcasts, the American Heart Association and the NFL offer students, teachers and families other digital ways to reach their daily goal of 60 minutes of play. The NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library features two-to-three minute exercise videos from each of the 32 NFL teams featuring players, NFL Legends, cheerleaders and mascots.

The NFL PLAY 60 app 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.

“Every year, NFL PLAY 60 helps students across the country achieve their daily goal of 60 minutes of play through the innovative and engaging NFL PLAY 60 app,” said NFL Senior Vice President of Social Responsibility Anna Isaacson. “We look forward to continuing to work with our partners at the American Heart Association to provide students with resources they need to lead healthy lifestyles.”

The full list of grant winners are:

Arizona Cardinals - Canyon Ridge School, Surprise, Ariz. Atlanta Falcons - KIPP Woodson Park Academy, Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta Falcons - Cascade Elementary, Atlanta, Ga. Baltimore Ravens - Catonsville Elementary School, Castonville, Md. Buffalo Bills - Churchville Chili Middle School, Churchville, N.Y. Carolina Panthers - Fort Dorchester Elementary, North Charleston, S. C.   Chicago Bears - River Trails Middle School #26, Mount Prospect, Ill. Cincinnati Bengals - Winston Hills Academy, Cincinnati, Ohio Cleveland Browns - Stevan Dohanos Elementary, Lorain, Ohio Dallas Cowboys - St. Mark Catholic School, Plano, Texas Denver Broncos - Dunston Middle School, Lakewood, Colo. Detroit Lions - Minges Brook Elementary, Battle Creek, Mich. Green Bay Packers - Fremont Elementary, Fremont, Wis. Houston Texans - Sherwood Elementary, Houston, Texas Houston Texans - Alcott Elementary School, Houston, Texas Indianapolis Colts - James A. Garfield School 31, Indianapolis, Ind. Jacksonville Jaguars - Rocky Bayou Christian School, Crestview, Fla. Kansas City Chiefs - Longview Farm Elementary, Lee’s Summit, Mo. Las Vegas Raiders - Grant Bowler Elementary, Logandale, Nev. Los Angeles Chargers - Dr. Carreon Academy, Indio, Calif. Los Angeles Rams - Hobart Boulevard Elementary, Los Angeles, Calif. Miami Dolphins - Robert Renick Educational Center, Miami Gardens, Fla. Minnesota Vikings - Red Pine Elementary, Eagan, Minn. New England Patriots - Pierce Middle School, Milton, Mass. New Orleans Saints - Hynes Charter School Lakeview, New Orleans, La. New York Giants - Rolling Hills Primary School, Vernon, N.J. New York Jets - PS 197 NYC, Brooklyn, N.Y. Philadelphia Eagles - Vaux Big Picture High School, Philadelphia, Pa. Pittsburgh Steelers- Phillips Elementary, Pittsburgh, Pa. San Francisco 49ers - Stratford School San Francisco Campus, San Francisco, Calif. Seattle Seahawks - Foster High School, Tukwila, Wash. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Colson Elementary, Seffner, Fla. Tennessee Titans - Robert E. Churchwell Elementary School, Nashville, Tenn. Washington Commanders - Blessed Sacrament School, Washington DC 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[2]. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are key to immediate and long-term health for children.

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. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and additional grant opportunities can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. 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 18th 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.

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