Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
September 02, 2025
NFL & American Heart Association Expand PLAY 60 Program for Youth Wellness
TLDR
- Students completing Hands-Only CPR training can win Super Bowl tickets and schools may receive $10,000 fitness equipment grants through NFL PLAY 60.
- The NFL and American Heart Association integrate physical activity guidelines, CPR training, and grant programs to support 60 minutes of daily movement for students.
- This initiative promotes physical and mental wellness in youth, fostering healthier communities and reducing long-term health risks through active lifestyles.
- NFL players and mascots lead fun exercise videos, while families can learn CPR together for a chance to attend the Super Bowl.
Impact - Why it Matters
This collaboration addresses the critical connection between physical activity, mental wellness, and academic performance in children. With childhood obesity rates rising and sedentary behaviors increasing, programs that make exercise engaging and accessible are essential for developing lifelong healthy habits. The inclusion of Hands-Only CPR training through Finn's Mission not only promotes physical activity but also teaches life-saving skills that could benefit entire communities. For parents and educators, this provides evidence-based resources to help children thrive both physically and academically, while the financial grants support schools in creating sustainable wellness programs that benefit students for years to come.
Summary
The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL), in collaboration with its 32 NFL clubs, are launching an expanded NFL PLAY 60™ initiative this back-to-school season, integrating it with the Association's Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ programs. This partnership, now in its 19th season, focuses on providing evidence-based physical activity and mental wellness resources to help students achieve the recommended minimum of 60 minutes of daily moderate-to-vigorous exercise. The collaboration aims to demonstrate that active children learn better, focus more clearly, handle stress more calmly, and perform better academically and behaviorally in the classroom.
New elements this year include the NFL PLAY 60 Family Challenge, encouraging families to get active together at home, and an expanded $350,000 grants program for schools focusing on physical activity, FLAG football, recess, and inclusive physical education. As part of Kids Heart Challenge, students can learn Hands-Only CPR through Finn’s Mission, with participants earning entries to win Super Bowl LXI tickets and schools potentially receiving $10,000 fitness equipment makeovers. The popular NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library returns, featuring short exercise videos from all 32 NFL teams to help students meet their daily movement goals regardless of weather conditions.
This initiative represents a significant milestone in both organizations' long-standing commitment to youth health, reaching over 10 million families annually through these combined programs. Resources and grant opportunities are available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60, providing educators, parents, and caregivers with tools to support children's physical and mental wellness throughout the school year and beyond.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, NFL & American Heart Association Expand PLAY 60 Program for Youth Wellness
