Nine Buffalo Bills players represented the community of Buffalo, their team and the NFL by visiting Armor Elementary in Hamburg for a unique and exciting celebration and fitness event on November 9, 2010. Along with the special player visit, the lucky school was presented a $10,000 grant as the grand prize for the Back to Football Friday promotion held at the beginning of the 2010 season.
The players that attended the fun event and spoke with the entire student body were running back Fred Jackson, safeties Jairus Byrd, Bryan Scott and Jon Corto, offensive linemen Andy Levitre and Eric Wood, punter Brian Moorman, linebacker Reggie Torbor and long snapper Garrison Sanborn.
The Buffalo Jills Cheerleaders and Billy Buffalo were also present for the stimulating event. They also took questions from the kids, posed in plenty of photos, signed autographs and helped run fitness stations for the students at the school.
To celebrate the start of the 2010 NFL season, fans were encouraged to demonstrate their passion for their favorite NFL teams and their excitement for the upcoming season by planning a unique Back to Football Friday event for their school, all to support youth health and wellness. Schools that entered the Back to Football Friday contest at www.NFLRUSH.com/BackToFootball submitted photos of their event and answered brief essay questions.
More than 5,500 schools entered the Back to Football Friday contest. The city of Buffalo and the Bills were one of the top cities and teams in the NFL to support the overall program.
"I can 110% see why Armor Elementary was chosen as the super school," said Jackson. "All of the hard work that went into decorating their hallways and the gym was unbelievable. The energy in the gym was great too. Any time that you can come out and see the kids bright, smiling faces is a good day."
During the visit, the Bills players spoke to students about the importance of good health and led kids in fitness activities, as part of the NFL's PLAY 60 campaign, helping youth get 60 minutes of exercise a day. On behalf of the NFL, Bills players presented the school with a $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant for health and wellness programming or equipment.
The Bills players had fun and were able to share an important and positive message with the children.
"Today is a great time to come out here and be around the kids," said Byrd. "At this age they should be out getting exercise and just being kids. Whenever I have the opportunity to be a part of something like this, I do my best to come out and support."
"All of the kids at Armor Elementary are so full of life," said Wood. "It was a lot of fun to be with them this afternoon and show them the importance of health and fitness through Play 60."
The NFL PLAY 60 Super School sweepstakes selected one school in each of the 32 NFL markets and two non-NFL markets. Each winning school received a $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant for health and wellness programming or equipment and a visit from NFL players.
Players also helped the students get 60 minutes of exercise during the Ultimate NFL Physical Education Class, as part of the NFL PLAY 60 youth health and wellness campaign. In addition to the $10,000 NFL PLAY 60 grant, the NFL will donate all fitness equipment used during the Ultimate Physical Education Class for students to use in the future.
Approximately 30 students chosen from the Ultimate NFL Physical Education Class were also given the ability to pose for special group photographs with the Bills players - which gave even more incentive for the kids to Play 60.
For more information on NFL PLAY 60 visit http://www.nflrush.com/play60.
