Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
February 04, 2026

NFL & American Heart Association Award Grants to 136 Schools for Youth Fitness

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TLDR

  • The NFL and American Heart Association grant program gives schools a strategic advantage by providing resources to enhance student health and academic performance.
  • The NFL PLAY 60 grants fund physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements, and well-being resources through a $350,000 annual pool to 136 selected schools.
  • This initiative creates a better future by ensuring students have access to physical activity opportunities that support both their physical health and emotional well-being.
  • NFL mascots like Sir Purr and K.C. Wolf are now ambassadors inspiring kids to move more as part of this nationwide health program.

Impact - Why it Matters

This initiative addresses a growing public health crisis where most American youth fail to meet recommended physical activity levels, which has serious implications for both immediate educational outcomes and long-term health trajectories. Research consistently shows that regular physical activity improves cognitive function, concentration, and stress management in students while establishing lifelong habits that reduce risks of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health challenges. By targeting schools—where children spend most of their waking hours—this program creates systemic change that can reach millions of students, particularly benefiting underserved communities where resources for physical education and wellness programs are often limited. The partnership's scale and visibility, amplified by NFL mascots and Super Bowl timing, brings crucial attention to childhood health while providing tangible resources that schools desperately need to implement effective movement programs.

Summary

The American Heart Association and the National Football League have announced a significant expansion of their partnership to address the critical issue of insufficient physical activity among American youth. According to the American Heart Association, only 1 in 4 children ages 6 to 11 meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, with the situation worsening dramatically for teenagers. To combat this alarming trend, the organizations have selected 136 schools nationwide to receive grants through the Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ programs, now enhanced with a $350,000 annual funding pool from the NFL. This year's winners were unveiled at a special NFL PLAY 60™ school assembly at Lawton Alternative School in San Francisco, featuring mascots from four NFL teams in advance of Super Bowl LX.

The enhanced grant structure supports four key areas identified by educators: physical activity equipment, FLAG football programs, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized that "every student deserves the chance to learn, grow and feel their best throughout the school day," highlighting the program's dual focus on physical and emotional well-being. The NFL's commitment extends through their NFL PLAY 60 initiative, which has been promoting youth health for nearly two decades and now includes an inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class featuring eight team mascots who will inspire children to move more.

Rooted in scientific guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, the program aims to help children develop healthy habits that can lead to better adult health outcomes. Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility at the NFL, noted that this year's expanded grant program reflects their ongoing commitment "to helping kids lead healthier, more active lives" by providing schools with essential tools and resources. Applications for NFL PLAY 60 grants are accepted year-round, with additional recipients to be announced in April, and comprehensive information is available online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60, where schools can access valuable resources and grant opportunities.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, NFL & American Heart Association Award Grants to 136 Schools for Youth Fitness

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