The NFL and the American Heart Association have announced a new initiative to inspire children to engage in daily physical activity, naming six NFL club mascots as the inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador class. The mascots—Freddie Falcon (Atlanta Falcons), Gumbo (New Orleans Saints), Rampage (Los Angeles Rams), Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys), Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), and T-Rac (Tennessee Titans)—will promote the program's goal of helping kids achieve at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day, as recommended by the American Heart Association's guidelines.
“Collaborating with these NFL mascots brings our science to life in a fun and engaging way to help kids develop healthy habits so they can grow to their full potential,” said Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association. “Our longstanding partnership with the NFL has always focused on building a world of longer, healthier lives through physical activity, heart health and safety.” Since 2006, the NFL and the American Heart Association have partnered through NFL PLAY 60 to reduce sedentary behaviors in children. The program has evolved over 19 seasons to meet kids' needs in real time, and the new mascot ambassador element adds recognizable characters to bring a game-day atmosphere to the initiative.
The mascot ambassadors will encourage kids to get active throughout the school year with exercise ideas and promote healthy habits, building excitement with team spirit. NFL PLAY 60 works alongside the Association's school programs, Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge, to offer resources for kids to be active at school and home. The program also includes learning modules on health, friendship, and community support, such as Hands-Only CPR instruction. An introduction video by Damar Hamlin, Nation of Lifesavers National Ambassador and Buffalo Bills safety, will precede the CPR instruction, and students who complete it can earn entries for a chance to win tickets to Super Bowl LXI and fitness equipment makeovers for their schools.
The NFL PLAY 60 Family Challenge encourages families to get active together at home, and the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library features on-demand exercise videos from all 32 NFL clubs. These two-to-three minute videos help parents, teachers, and caregivers on days when outdoor play is not possible. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources is available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60. The initiative underscores the importance of physical activity for children's mental and physical health, emphasizing that active students learn better, focus more, and react to stress more calmly.
