DALLAS - February 4, 2026 (NEWMEDIAWIRE) - Physical activity is vital to American students’ physical health and emotional well-being, helping them learn, concentrate and manage stress throughout the school day, yet most youth are not getting enough movement. According to the American Heart Association, only 1 in 4 children ages 6 to 11 are currently getting the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity - a statistic that more than doubles for youth ages 12 to 17. To provide schools more ways to promote physical movement for students and well-being for faculty, the American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have selected 136 schools nationwide to receive Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ faculty well-being and NFL PLAY 60™ grants.
This year marks the launch of an enhanced grant structure that includes a $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL. It builds on the existing Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge school grant program established by the American Heart Association, a relentless force changing the future of health for everyone everywhere. This year’s annual winners were announced at an NFL PLAY 60 school assembly held at Lawton Alternative School in San Francisco, California. NFL mascots - Carolina Panthers' Sir Purr, Atlanta Falcons' Freddie Falcon, Detroit Lions' Roary and Kansas City Chiefs' K.C. Wolf - were in attendance for the unveil celebration in advance of Super Bowl LX at Levis’ Stadium on Sunday.
“Every student deserves the chance to learn, grow and feel their best throughout the school day. By expanding this grant program, we are helping schools create more moments of movement and more spaces where kids feel supported in both their physical and emotional well-being,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “As we shape our next century of impact, the American Heart Association is proud to work alongside the NFL to ensure that students everywhere have access to opportunities that will allow them to live longer, healthier lives.”
NFL PLAY 60 grants support four key areas identified by schools and educators, including physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education, and well-being resources.
“For two decades, NFL PLAY 60 has been committed to helping kids lead healthier, more active lives, and this year’s expanded grant program reflects that commitment in an even larger way,” said Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility, NFL. “We’re proud to work with the American Heart Association to give schools across the country the tools and resources they need to inspire movement, strengthen well‑being and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
Rooted in science, the 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’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
This season, NFL mascots are also working to inspire kids to move more to support mental and physical well-being by joining the inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class. The eight members of the ambassador class include Freddie Falcon, Atlanta Falcons; Gumbo, New Orleans Saints; Rampage, Los Angeles Rams; Roary, Detroit Lions; Rowdy, Dallas Cowboys; Sir Purr, Carolina Panthers; T-Rac, Tennessee Titans; and K.C. Wolf, Kansas City Chiefs.
NFL PLAY 60 grant applications are accepted year-round and another group of grant recipients will be announced in April. Information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and available grant opportunities can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
Additional Resources:
- Spanish News Release (Coming Soon)
- 2026 KHC AHC NFL PLAY 60 Grant Awardees
About the American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.
About NFL PLAY 60
NFL PLAY 60 is the League’s national youth health and wellness platform. For nearly 20 years, the initiative has empowered millions of youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and provided support for programs and resources so that kids everywhere can lead a healthy lifestyle. Alongside the NFL’s 32 NFL clubs and partners, the PLAY 60 movement will continue to serve and motivate the next generation of youth to get active and PLAY 60. For more information, visit NFL.com/PLAY60.
For Media Inquiries:
American Heart Association: Linzy Cotaya: 504-872-3446; linzy.cotaya@heart.org
National Football League: Ian Martin, Ian.Martin@nfl.com
For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)
heart.org and stroke.org
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