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 marks the third round of grants in 2026, part of a $350,000 annual investment from the NFL to help schools meet critical wellness needs identified by educators, from equipment and recess enhancements to inclusive physical education and well-being resources.
The grants come at a critical time as new research published in the American Heart Association's flagship journal, Circulation, shows that obesity among youth increased by approximately 30% between 1999 and 2023, while severe obesity rose 50%. Fewer than 1 in 4 children in the United States currently get enough physical activity, according to the release. 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 impact of these grants extends beyond individual schools. By improving physical activity opportunities, the initiative aims to curb the rising trend of childhood obesity, which has significant long-term health implications. Increased physical activity can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other obesity-related conditions, potentially lowering healthcare costs and improving quality of life for millions of children. For business and technology leaders, healthier youth populations may translate into a more productive future workforce and reduced healthcare burdens on employers.
The NFL PLAY 60 program has been a national youth health and wellness platform for 20 years, empowering millions of youth to get active. More information on resources and grant opportunities can be found at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
