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| Linebacker Barrett Ruud visits with students at J.T. Moore Middle School on a Titans Tuesday. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans linebacker Barrett Ruud surprised students and faculty at J.T. Moore Middle School on Tuesday as part of the Titans Tuesdays school program.
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Ruud was the guest of honor at a special assembly to encourage J. T. Moore's 5th graders to get healthy, while sharing his personal life story. The school was chosen to participate in the Titans PLAY 60 Challenge and Ruud was on hand to speak about the program.
J.T. Moore students will participate in the Titans PLAY 60 Challenge to become more physically active and will receive various prizes at the end of the challenge. Ruud also stressed the importance of leading an active lifestyle and healthy diet that includes low-fat, high fiber foods, low-fat dairy, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. He encouraged the students to get at least 60 minutes of active play per day.
Ruud told the students that his mother is a nutritionist and that he learned about healthy living at a young age.
He also admitted that he wouldn't be the player he is today if he hadn't made good choices. During the assembly, Ruud talked to the students about peer pressure and knowing right from wrong, encouraging them to make the right decisions in life and asking for help when they may not understand a particular subject. He also talked about the importance of accountability and the consequences of avoiding school work responsibilities, also prioritizing time. He also discussed the importance of staying focused during the week, making homework a priority before outside activities and staying positive. While most fans do not realize what the average day of NFL player looks like, Ruud talked about his schedule habits and work ethic in order to succeed as a professional athlete.
"When I have an opportunity for distraction, whether it's people visiting town or anything else, I make sure that I stay at the office to get all of my work done before heading home," said Ruud. "That way I don't have an excuse or reason to be unprepared. Work comes first."
After the assembly, select students were chosen by the school for their leadership, grades and behavior to be PLAY 60 Ambassadors to spend additional time with Ruud for a meet and greet opportunity. The students were able to ask questions and were given an autographed poster and PLAY 60 materials. The school's administrators said the students greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet Ruud and be recognized as school leaders and appreciated the encouragement to lead a healthy lifestyle.
For more information on PLAY 60, visit www.NFLRush.com.
