The American Heart Association and National Football League have selected 136 schools nationwide to receive Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge faculty well-being and NFL PLAY 60 grants. This initiative comes as statistics reveal concerning levels of physical inactivity among American youth, with only 1 in 4 children ages 6 to 11 getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, and even fewer among teenagers ages 12 to 17.
This year marks the launch of an enhanced grant structure that includes a $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL, building on the existing school grant program established by the American Heart Association. The annual winners were announced at an NFL PLAY 60 school assembly held at Lawton Alternative School in San Francisco, California, with NFL mascots including Carolina Panthers' Sir Purr, Atlanta Falcons' Freddie Falcon, Detroit Lions' Roary and Kansas City Chiefs' K.C. Wolf in attendance for the celebration ahead of Super Bowl LX.
"Every student deserves the chance to learn, grow and feel their best throughout the school day," said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. "By expanding this grant program, we are helping schools create more moments of movement and more spaces where kids feel supported in both their physical and emotional well-being." Brown emphasized the organization's commitment to working alongside the NFL to ensure students everywhere have access to opportunities for longer, healthier lives.
The NFL PLAY 60 grants support four key areas identified by schools and educators: physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. "For two decades, NFL PLAY 60 has been committed to helping kids lead healthier, more active lives, and this year's expanded grant program reflects that commitment in an even larger way," said Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility at the NFL. "We're proud to work with the American Heart Association to give schools across the country the tools and resources they need to inspire movement, strengthen well-being and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive."
Rooted in science, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative helps children develop healthy habits for better chances of healthy adulthood by encouraging kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day, meeting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. This season, NFL mascots are working to inspire kids to move more by joining the inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class, which includes eight mascot representatives from various NFL teams.
The implications of this expanded grant program are significant for addressing the youth physical activity crisis in America. Schools receiving these grants gain critical resources to implement evidence-based programs that can improve both physical health and emotional well-being for students and faculty. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity improves academic performance, concentration, and stress management while reducing risks for chronic diseases later in life.
NFL PLAY 60 grant applications are accepted year-round, with another group of grant recipients to be announced in April. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and available grant opportunities can be found online at https://heart.org/NFLPLAY60. This partnership between a leading health organization and professional sports league represents a substantial investment in the future health of American youth, providing schools with practical tools to combat sedentary lifestyles and promote comprehensive well-being.
