Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
April 24, 2026

NFL and American Heart Association Award Grants to Boost Student Health

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Original Source

TLDR

  • American Heart Association and NFL grants give schools a competitive edge with $350,000 for health resources.
  • Grants fund physical activity equipment, recess enhancements, and CPR training through NFL PLAY 60 program.
  • Grants help 188 schools nationwide ensure children have equal opportunities for healthier lives.
  • NFL and American Heart Association aim to break GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS for most CPR trained in one hour.

Impact - Why it Matters

This news matters because childhood obesity is a critical public health issue, affecting 1 in 5 children in the U.S. The grants provide schools with essential resources to promote physical activity and cardiac emergency readiness, directly impacting students' health and well-being. The partnership also highlights the importance of community involvement in CPR training, potentially saving lives. Readers should care because these initiatives create healthier environments for children, reducing long-term health risks and fostering lifelong healthy habits.

Summary

The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have joined forces to combat childhood obesity through a new round of grants awarded to 188 schools across 45 states. This initiative, part of the NFL PLAY 60 campaign, aims to address the alarming statistic that approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States live with obesity - the same number of children who get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The grants, drawn from a $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL, support school-based programs like Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™, providing resources for physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements, inclusive physical education, and well-being resources.

Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association, emphasized that educators know best what their students need, and this grant program helps provide health-focused and cardiac emergency readiness resources that might otherwise be unattainable. The NFL PLAY 60 initiative, rooted in science, encourages kids to get at least 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity daily to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. Additionally, NFL mascots in the NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class are inspiring kids to move more for mental and physical well-being.

During the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, the American Heart Association and NFL will attempt a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for the most people completing CPR training in one hour, supported by Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s foundation and Doctor Mike. This effort aims to encourage communities to join the Nation of Lifesavers™ by learning Hands-Only CPR. Grant applications are accepted year-round, with another round announced in June. More information is available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60. This collaboration underscores a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere, ensuring children have equal opportunities to live longer, healthier lives.

Source Statement

This curated news summary relied on content disributed by NewMediaWire. Read the original source here, NFL and American Heart Association Award Grants to Boost Student Health

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