NFL Mascots Join Forces with American Heart Association to Promote Youth Fitness Through PLAY 60 Initiative

The National Football League has launched a new mascot ambassador program as part of its longstanding PLAY 60 initiative with the American Heart Association, appointing six NFL club mascots to inspire children to achieve at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity. This expansion of the 19-year partnership aims to combat sedentary behaviors among youth through engaging, recognizable characters that bring game-day excitement to health education.

Freddie Falcon (Atlanta Falcons), Gumbo (New Orleans Saints), Rampage (Los Angeles Rams), Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys), Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), and T-Rac (Tennessee Titans) comprise the inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador class. These mascots will encourage physical activity throughout the school year by promoting exercise ideas, healthy habit choices, and team spirit. The program aligns with evidence-based research showing that active students learn better, focus more, think more clearly, and perform better academically.

Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating that mascots help bring scientific guidelines to life in fun and engaging ways. The partnership, active since 2006, focuses on building longer, healthier lives through physical activity, heart health, and safety initiatives. Resources for the program are available at https://heart.org/NFLPLAY60.

The initiative integrates with the American Heart Association's school programs, including Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge, offering comprehensive resources for physical activity both at school and home. A significant component involves Hands-Only CPR instruction, introduced through a video by Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety and cardiac arrest survivor. Students completing CPR training receive entries for Super Bowl LXI tickets, with five individual winners and five schools receiving $10,000 fitness equipment makeovers. Entry details are available through Finn's Mission at https://heart.org/schools.

Additional program elements include the NFL PLAY 60 Family Challenge, encouraging families to prioritize wellness together, and the NFL PLAY 60 Exercise Library featuring two-to-three minute workout videos from all 32 NFL clubs. These resources, accessible at https://NFL.com/PLAY60, provide practical solutions for days when outdoor activity isn't feasible, helping children accumulate movement minutes toward the daily 60-minute goal. The expanded mascot ambassador program represents the latest evolution in addressing contemporary youth health needs through community-focused, evidence-based approaches.