Inside The Bills

NFL FLAG Essentials with Thurman Thomas

Thurman Thomas joined the American Dairy Association on September 2^nd to train 100 Buffalo City School District physical education teachers on the NFL FLAG Football program as a part of the Fuel Up To Play 60 initiative. The training, hosted at City Honors High School in Buffalo, was hosted by SHAPE America and comprised of the teachers learning how to run the NFL FLAG curriculum in their classroom.

During the NFL Draft, Commission Goodell and others announced the second year of distribution for “Fuel Up to Play 60 NFL FLAG Essentials Kits” in 2015 to physical education teachers across the country.

Buffalo was 1 of 10 NFL markets selected to receive NFL FLAG Football Essentials kits and will receive 46 kits that will be distributed to all of the Buffalo Public elementary schools.

These NFL FLAG Essentials Kits will help increase students’ physical activity in-school and at home through a package of equipment, curriculum, online training, and recognition.

NFL, USA Football, and Fuel Up to Play 60 are expanding their commitment to youth health and wellness by giving NFL FLAG Essentials Kits to over one million students across 2,500 schools nationwide for the 2015-16 school year.

Fuel Up to Play 60 “Be the Change” Forum

Nearly 200 students and teachers from Western NY were on hand at the ADPRO Sports Training Center on Tuesday for the annual Fuel Up to Play 60 “Be the Change” forum.  The students, from Orchard Park, Niagara Falls, Grand Island, Buffalo City, Rochester City and Rush Henrietta Schools,  were joined by Running Back C.J. Spiller, Bills’ Nutritionist Dan Liburd and dairy farmer Jason Kehl, from  Strykersville NY.

Students gathered to learn how healthy eating and physical activity can benefit them not just in school but for a lifetime.  It’s all a part of Fuel Up to Play 60, a national partnership between the National Football League and the American Dairy Association, to encourage students to eat healthy foods (fruits, veggies, whole grains, and low fat and fat free dairy products) and exercise 60 minutes daily. The participants also received leadership and communication training to help find their voice in order to drive healthy change within their schools.

Check out the photo gallery.

American Dairy Association Hometown Grants

On Tuesday Buffalo Bills Line Backer Keith Rivers visited PS 79 Pfc. William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence in Buffalo to announce that the Buffalo Bills and the American Dairy Association are offering two $5,000 grants:  One to a Buffalo Public School and one to a school district in Erie or Niagara County to further implement Fuel Up To Play 60 activities, and host a Fuel Up to Play 60 activity station assembly.

The American Dairy Association & NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program provides schools with a playbook of physical fitness and nutrition strategies to help them tackle growing rates of childhood obesity. Schools participate in challenges to earn points and earn eligibility for prizes and grant money.  To learn more about the Hometown Grants or to apply, visit www.adadc.com or click here.