As friends and family gather to celebrate Thanksgiving, the NFL will continue its tradition of encouraging children to be active during special NFL PLAY 60 themed games throughout Thanksgiving weekend. NFL PLAY 60 is a league wide effort to fight childhood obesity by getting kids active for at least 60 minutes a day.
In support of NFL PLAY 60, all Thanksgiving weekend games will raise awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic and showcase the NFL and its clubs' commitment to help reverse this trend. The Raiders have designated their home game against the Chicago Bears as their 'NFL Play 60' game. The Silver and Black will celebrate Play 60 by welcoming students from the East Oakland Sports Center and the Department of Park and Recreation to serve as Play 60 ambassadors. They will participate in a pregame field presentation. The Raiders also will host the regional championship round of the Punt, Pass & Kick competition during the pregame festivities.
"Thanksgiving is a great day to encourage families to be active," said Commissioner Roger Goodell. "NFL PLAY 60 continues to impact more children with each passing year, and we're proud to feature the campaign on a holiday that celebrates family, food and football."
Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and wellness with partner organizations like United Way. PLAY 60 also is implemented locally, as part of the NFL's in-school, after-school and team-based programs. Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed more than $250 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements. The NFL and its teams have built more than 100 NFL Youth Fitness Zones, organized more than 1,500 PLAY 60 youth events, and integrated programs into more than 77,000 schools nationwide since the campaign launched
Starting this Thanksgiving, communities across the country can enter for a chance to receive a visit from the NFL PLAY 60 bus featured in the PLAY 60 commercials. Families can enter the "NFL PLAY 60 Bus Stops With You" contest by writing a short essay and submitting a photo on how the PLAY 60 school bus could help the youth in their town get more active and healthy. One deserving community will receive a visit from the PLAY 60 bus full of sports equipment and gear. Fans can visit www.NFLRUSH.com to learn more.
