The American Heart Association and the (NFL), in collaboration with its 32 NFL clubs, are challenging kids to move more with an NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break for the NFL Draft happening later this week. The free program on Wednesday, April 26 at 1 p.m. ET/ 12 p.m. CT/ 10 a.m. PT will offer a 15-minute synchronous broadcast to help students learn how to add movement to their day leading up to the live Draft coverage from Kansas City.
Rooted in American Heart Association science, the Fitness Break broadcast helps students learn more about how physical activity supports their overall wellness. The NFL Draft host team, the Kansas City Chiefs, will bring several members from the Chiefs Kingdom to the broadcast. NFL Legend Will Shields, Chiefs' mascot KC Wolf and members of the Chiefs cheerleaders will get kids moving with exercise instruction. Local Kansas City high school student and congenital heart defect survivor, Devyn Davis, hosts the broadcast. Advanced registration by parents, teachers or school administrators for the broadcasts is required.
NFL PLAY 60 initiative helps children to develop healthy habits for a better chance of a healthy adulthood. The program encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' 2018 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans[1]. Reducing sedentary behavior and increasing physical activity are key to immediate and long-term health for children.
"Working together with the National Football League on NFL PLAY 60, we're excited to continue to support getting youth across the country moving towards a healthier and more active lifestyle," said American Heart Association and American Stroke Association Chief Executive Officer Nancy Brown. "Wellness education and lifesaving skills, such as CPR, are critical to help people across generations live longer, healthier lives."
This is the third broadcast of the school year. The NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break Kickoff broadcast was held in September and the NFL Super Bowl Fitness Break took place in February. There will be a new suite of NFL PLAY 60 resources, including Fitness Break Broadcasts, for the 2023-2024 school year.
"We're excited to partner with American Heart Association for the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break ahead of this year's NFL Draft – especially when heart health and wellness is at the top of mind for the NFL family," said Anna Isaacson, NFL SVP of Social Responsibility. "Providing free, educational resources to help youth lead a healthy lifestyle is a priority and the NFL PLAY 60 fitness break provides a fun and engaging way to do so."
In addition to the NFL PLAY 60 Fitness Break, the NFL and the American Heart Association will host an NFL PLAY 60 Play Space refurbishment project at Frank Rushton Elementary School in Kansas City. The PLAY 60 Play Space refurbishment project will help kids to get active and work towards their 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
Also, at the NFL Draft Experience in the days leading up to the game, April 27-29, attendees are invited to "Be The Beat" and learn Hands-Only CPR with the American Heart Association. During this engaging and interactive instruction, attendees of all ages will learn the two simple steps to help save a life and can try out skills.
