NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans PLAY 60 Challenge officially kicked off at the beginning of the 2011 season. Select students were chosen to be PLAY 60 Ambassadors and had the opportunity to attend the Titans vs. Saints game. These students have completed the PLAY 60 challenge or FUEL Up to PLAY 60 incentive program as a grand prize as the program comes to a close this year.
The students had a chance to meet Titans wide receiver/returner Marc Mariani before the game as he is the PLAY 60 spokesperson. Mariani also took part in the NFL PLAY 60 Super School visit last month as part of this program. In addition, the PLAY 60 Ambassadors were recognized on the field and lined up outside the Titans tunnel to welcome the team onto the field during player introductions.
Titans players Jordan Babineaux, Rob Bironas, Daniel Graham, Jason Jones,
Gerald McRath, Barrett Ruud, Shaun Smith and Alterraun Verner also visited various metro Nashville middle schools for school-wide assemblies in order to encourage youth to get at least sixty minutes of physical activity or play per day in effort to fight childhood obesity. The Titans have a long-standing partnership with the American Heart Association and the Southeastern United Dairy Industry Association and that partnership also includes the Fuel Up to PLAY 60 element that encourages youth to eat healthy foods like low-fat dairy products, lean meats, fruits, vegetables and whole grain.
That partnership has enhanced the overall PLAY 60 mission and opportunity to reach out to America's youth. Since the NFL's Play 60 inception, the NFL has committed over $100 million to youth health and fitness through programming, media time for public service announcements and grants from Titans Owner K.S. "Bud" Adams' Jr., and his fellow NFL owners and players.
"The Titans players that were involved in the PLAY 60 school program were great to work with," said Patty Clements, Communications Director for the American Heart Association of Greater Nashville. "Through this year's program, we were able to reach approximately 5,000 youth with a lifesaving message on physical activity, healthy eating and self-esteem. The Tennessee Titans PLAY 60 program is considered to be one of the most successful programs in the country."
About "Play 60"
The Titans "Play 60" initiative encourages youth to get at least sixty minutes of physical activity or play per day in effort to fight childhood obesity. Partnerships with local non-profit organizations, like the American Heart Association and the National Dairy Council, have enhanced this mission and opportunity to reach out to America's youth. For more information about the NFL's Play 60 campaign please visit www.NFLRush.com**
About the Southeast Dairy Association
On behalf of dairy farm families, the non-profit Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. (SUDIA), works with schools, health professionals, retailers, dairy processors and the public to promote dairy foods. For more information, visit www.southeastdairy.org or click here to connect with SUDIA on Facebook.
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose mission is building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. For more information, visit www.heart.org
