New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston joined more than 100 sixth-grade students from Robert Fulton Elementary School in North Bergen, New Jersey, on June 22, 2026, for a NFL PLAY 60 event at the North Bergen Recreation Center. The event, supported by USA Football, featured interactive drills designed to make physical activity engaging and accessible, reinforcing the importance of movement and teamwork.
The initiative comes as the American Heart Association’s 2026 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics Update reveals that just over a quarter of U.S. youth ages 6-11 and 14% of youth ages 12-17 meet the recommendation of at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. NFL PLAY 60, a partnership between the American Heart Association and the NFL, aims to address this by helping students build healthier habits early.
“This summer the World Cup is bringing people together, and we want to multiply that energy by collaborating both football communities for maximum impact,” said Winston, a Heisman Trophy winner, national champion and former No. 1 overall NFL draft pick. “Through NFL PLAY 60, this initiative is about helping kids stay active, build healthy habits and see how sports can unite and inspire the next generation.”
The NFL PLAY 60 initiative encourages children to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day to support both immediate and long-term physical and mental health. The program is rooted in the American Heart Association’s physical activity guidelines, which recommend at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity daily for children. Research shows that regular movement supports cardiovascular health while also improving focus, stress management and classroom performance.
“Programs like NFL PLAY 60 help us meet young people where they are - with experiences that make physical activity engaging and sustainable,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “Together with the NFL, we are helping build healthier futures by making daily movement a priority for every child.”
The National Football League and the American Heart Association have partnered since 2006 to bring physical activity to life for young people through school and community-based programming. To help overcome common barriers such as limited time, space or weather, NFL PLAY 60 also offers the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library, featuring short, on-demand videos from all 32 NFL teams. These resources make it easier for educators, families and caregivers to incorporate physical activity throughout the day - whether in the classroom, at home or in the community.
Today’s event is part of the broader NFL PLAY 60 movement, which reaches millions of youth nationwide through school programs, community events and digital tools - reinforcing the importance of daily physical activity for lifelong health. More information, including resources and grant opportunities, is available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
