The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have awarded NFL PLAY 60 grants to 164 schools in 44 states through the Association's school-based programs, Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™. This initiative aims to address declining physical activity among American children, which has contributed to a 30% increase in youth obesity and a 50% rise in severe obesity between 1999 and 2023, according to research published in the American Heart Association's flagship journal, Circulation.
This is the third round of NFL PLAY 60 grants awarded in 2026, part of a $350,000 annual investment from the NFL. The grants help schools meet critical wellness needs identified by educators, including equipment, recess enhancements, inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. Fewer than 1 in 4 children in the United States currently get enough physical activity, and NFL PLAY 60 encourages children to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, aligning with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
“Children spend so much of their time in the classroom, which makes schools powerful allies in helping them build lifelong healthy habits,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “With support from the NFL, we're proud to give schools additional opportunities to promote physical activity and student well-being so more students have a chance to live longer, healthier lives.”
Megan Mendoza, senior manager of social responsibility at the NFL, emphasized the importance of access: “For many kids, staying active isn’t about interest. It's about access to the right space, equipment and time to move. These grants help remove barriers so more students - even those who might otherwise sit on the sidelines - get the chance to jump in and play.”
The grants are part of a broader effort to improve youth health. The American Heart Association, supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, funds groundbreaking research and advocates for public health. The NFL PLAY 60 platform, now in its 20th year, has empowered millions of youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day. More information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and grant opportunities can be found at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
