The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have announced the second round of grants this year to 188 schools in 45 states through the Association's school-based programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™. The grants, funded by a $350,000 annual pool from the NFL through NFL PLAY 60, aim to improve student health and well-being by providing resources for physical activity, cardiac emergency readiness, and inclusive education.
Approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States live with obesity, matching the number who get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This disparity underscores the importance of initiatives like NFL PLAY 60, which encourages children to achieve at least 60 minutes of vigorous activity each day, aligning with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
The grant program, designed to address specific needs identified by educators, supports physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements, inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. “Educators know what their students need to thrive, and this grant program is designed to help them get there by providing schools with health-focused and cardiac emergency readiness resources that might not otherwise be attainable,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “We are grateful to the NFL’s support in helping to ensure that children everywhere have equal opportunities to live longer, healthier lives, regardless of who they are or where they live.”
The impact of these grants extends beyond physical activity. The latest funding cycle also supported CPR readiness programs in schools, addressing the critical need for emergency preparedness. During the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Association and NFL are working together to attempt a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS® title for the most people to complete CPR training in one hour. This event, supported by Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s foundation and Doctor Mike, will take place on Friday, April 24, from 1-2 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The effort aims to encourage fans and communities to join the Nation of Lifesavers™ by learning Hands-Only CPR. Participation is free, and registration is open at heart.org/NFLDraft.
NFL PLAY 60, now in its nearly 20th year, is a national youth health and wellness platform that empowers millions of children to get active. The initiative is rooted in science and supported by NFL mascots in the NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class, including Freddie Falcon (Atlanta Falcons), Gumbo (New Orleans Saints), Rampage (Los Angeles Rams), Roary (Detroit Lions), Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys), Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), and T-Rac (Tennessee Titans). These ambassadors work to inspire kids to move more for mental and physical well-being.
Grant applications are accepted year-round, with another group of recipients to be announced in June. More information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and grant opportunities is available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60. This ongoing investment in student health is crucial for addressing the obesity epidemic and ensuring that children across the nation have equal opportunities to lead healthy lives.
