NFL to build 100th youth fitness zones
Teams participate in 12th annual NFL-United Way Hometown Huddle
NFL coaches, players, and executives will spread the word on the importance of health and wellness Tuesday during the league-wide day of service. During the 12th annual NFL-United Way Hometown Huddle -- a series of volunteer projects implemented on the same day in NFL cities nationwide -- teams will build fitness zones and playgrounds, host youth football clinics, and help kids get active for 60 minutes a day as part of NFL PLAY 60, the league's youth health and wellness campaign.
During Hometown Huddle, the NFL will build its 100th youth fitness zone since 2007 when it introduced NFL Play 60. In only three years, the NFL and its teams have constructed playgrounds, walking trails, indoor fitness training rooms and tracks that serve as NFL youth fitness zones across the country.
In addition to the projects happening on the ground, young fans across the country also may participate in Hometown Huddle by building a virtual park in the NFLRush Zone, the NFL's virtual world for its youngest fans. Fans who visit the Cleveland Browns land may help construct an NFL PLAY 60 Park to coincide with an actual Browns playground build in partnership with KaBOOM! on October 19.
Now in its 37th year, the United Way/NFL partnership connects NFL PLAY 60 with United Way's 2018 goal to get 1.9 million more young people healthy and active. Across the country, United Way is working to improve peoples' health where they live, work, learn and play by ensuring that individuals and families have safe homes and communities, access to health care services, affordable and healthful food, and opportunities for regular physical activity.
Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations like United Way. PLAY 60 also is implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $200 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements.
"All of us in the NFL recognize the importance of a healthy lifestyle and we want young people to understand the connection between exercise and good health," said Commissioner Roger Goodell. "We are pleased to be working with United Way to help get kids active for at least 60 minutes a day."
NFL employees in New York, Mount Laurel, N.J., and Culver City, Calif. will participate in local Hometown Huddle events, in partnership with United Way.
