There's no doubt that the over 800 children and 29 Bills players broke out a sweat here at Ralph Wilson Stadium, as the Bills once again hosted the 2nd annual PLAY 60 Ultimate Field Day for Kids.
The Ultimate Field Day, which began in 2012, is the team's big event to help spread the NFL's PLAY 60 message- keeping kids healthy and active for at least 60 minutes per day.
PHOTOS: Play 60 Ultimate Field Day
"The Buffalo Bills strive to be one of the leaders in the NFL when it comes to the PLAY 60 initiative," said Preston Teague, Bills Director of Community Relations. "Our players and our staff are passionate about supporting our community in making the next generation of children the healthiest yet."
The Play 60 Ultimate Field Day provides the youngest generation of Bills fans the opportunity to interact with Bills players at multiple interactive football-themed activity stations. Drills included a running back station, a punt catching/punt return station, a wide receiver station, and several others.
"I just come out here to have fun," said Bills running back Fred Jackson. "I'm out here doing every event I can because it's all about the kids having fun- that's what PLAY 60 is about. I'm out here definitely getting my 'PLAY 60' on and I love it."
"The kids bring a lot of energy," said Bills defensive lineman Alex Carrington. "I never had the chance to do anything like this when I was a kid."
Season ticket holders and fans from across the nation came to the Ralph to PLAY 60. Buffalobills.com caught up with a season ticket holding family from Omaha, Nebraska.
"We're probably the only season ticket holders that live in the state of Nebraska," Hollie Hanash told buffalobills.com. "We planned our whole trip around this event. It's not every day that the kids get to experience something like this and they really enjoy it."
In addition to the activity stations, the day's festivities included a tour of the gameday locker room, player autographs, a Pro Football Hall of Fame exhibit, souvenir photo opportunities, an airbrush tattoo station and I.D. cards for children courtesy of the Erie County Sheriff's Department.
Player support was overwhelming, as a record twenty-nine**Bills players came out to support the event. Players included #58 LB Jamie Blatnick, #97 DT Corbin Bryant, #92 DT Alex Carrington, #76 DE Izaan Cross, #46 DB Jordan Dangerfield, #39 CB Kip Edwards, #42 RB Kendall Gaskins, #11 WR T.J. Graham, #88 WR Marquise Goodwin, #44 DB T.J. Heath, #15 WR Chris Hogan, #5 K Dustin Hopkins, #22 RB Fred Jackson, #14 WR Brandon Kaufman, #9 K Rian Lindell, #36 DB Jonathan Meeks, #52 Arthur Moats, #49 LB Keith Pough, #37 DB Nikell Robey, #17 WR Da'Rick Rogers, #41 DB Jumal Rolle, #30 DB Mana Silva, #40 RB Drew Smith, #61 OL David Snow, #28 RB C.J. Spiller, #2 P Brian Stahovich, #67 Aaron Tipoti, #8 QB Jeff Tuel, #10 WR Robert Woods.
"It's a good experience," said Bills wide receiver Robert Woods. "I got to meet some locals, and watch the kids out here having fun. I'm enjoying it."
Several corporations throughout Western New York came together to help make Saturday's event possible, including BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Delaware North Companies, New Era Cap Company, Gatorade, PODS, Kiss 98.5, Perry's Ice Cream, Doodle Bugs! Children's Centers, End Zone Collectibles, Jim Kelly Football Camp and New York State's 529 College Savings Program.
