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| LB Will Witherspoon poses with students at Meigs Middle Magnet School in East Nashville. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans Linebacker Will Witherspoon surprised nearly 700 students at Meigs Middle Magnet School in East Nashville on Tuesday as part of Titans Tuesdays in the community.
Witherspoon spoke to students during a special school-wide assembly to encourage the youth and share his personal message. Meigs was chosen to participate in the Titans Play 60 Challenge and Witherspoon was on hand to speak about the program.
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.
Witherspoon also stressed the importance of leading an active lifestyle which includes a healthy diet that includes low-fat, high fiber foods, low-fat dairy and milk, fruits, vegetables, lean meats and whole grains as well as encouraging the students to get at least 60 minutes of active play per day.
Witherspoon shared that he grew up all over the world as the son of a retired military officer. He was born in Texas and then moved around from Germany, England, Arizona and Florida. Witherspoon said that experience allowed him to be introduced to different cultures and forced him to become outgoing, meeting new friends and ultimately preparing him for life in the NFL.
"I've never lived anywhere for more than four years," said Witherspoon. "I had to learn to meet new people and start up conversations in order to make friends."
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| Following the assembly, Witherspoon met with smaller group of students who have excelled in their health/fitness efforts at the school. |
He also told the students that he wouldn't be the player he is today if he hadn't made good choices. He also spoke about the importance of staying focused and disciplined with school work in addition to choosing positive influences and friends.
After the assembly, 25 students that are the school's fitness team joined Witherspoon for a meet and greet opportunity. The students were able to ask questions and were given an autographed poster. The school's PE teachers Jeremy Miller and Justine McMurray said the students greatly enjoyed the opportunity to meet Witherspoon and to be recognized as school's ambassadors for a healthier lifestyle.
About "PLAY 60" Challenge
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. 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. For more information about the NFL's Play 60 campaign please visit http://www.nflrush.com/health
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.
Titans Linebacker Will Witherspoon surprised nearly 700 students at Meigs Middle Magnet School in East Nashville on Tuesday as part of Titans Tuesdays in the community.
