The NFL Champions Physical Activity Everyday… Champion Schools Makes it a Way of Life.

06Feb09

The NFL and Champion Schools Wage War on Obesity

NFL Play 60 was showcased by NBC on site at Super Bowl XLIII. Through Player PSAs, the program encourages kids to get out and Play 60 minutes a day. Obesity is a disease that is killing the youth of America. As learned from the website, this may be the first generation not to outlive its parents. We can’t have that. We also can’t tell a 5th grader to diet. Thus, the answer is simple- we need to encourage youth to be more active… to “get out and play 60 minutes a day.”

Another NFL initiative is the Keep Gym in School campaign. The NFL with Cox communications created the program to increase access to in-school physical activity and to teach skills needed to establish and sustain healthy lifestyles. They are currently accepting grant applications to improve physical education in schools across the country. The inaugural winner was Poe middle school based in Virginia whose facilities were updated and participated in a mini-camp run by Washington Redskins Players. The NFL and Cox helped Poe Middle School Keep Gym in School.

There is one charter school that heard this Call to Action loud and clear. Champion Schools is a Sports Centric Charter School based in Phoenix Arizona. Proven and ingrained in its philosophy is the idea that discipline gained in sports activities promotes academic performance. Kids are better students because they play sports. They concentrate better in the classroom because they learn to concentrate on the field. At Champion Schools students’ learn teamwork and the values of cooperation in competition. The students are physically active, making their mind and body more fit. The school is currently accepting applications for registration at http://championschools.org/.

For the youth of tomorrow we need to Champion the missions of NFL Play 60, Keeping GYM in School and Champion Schools to build a better tomorrow today.