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Thanksgiving, a time of family and togetherness, is also a time to focus on the importance of keeping kids healthy and giving them safe places to play.
In support of NFL PLAY 60, the league's youth health and fitness campaign, all Thanksgiving weekend games will raise awareness of the childhood obesity epidemic and showcase the NFL and its clubs' commitment to help reverse this trend.
In addition, The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and The President's Council on Service and Civic Participation will emphasize the importance of health and fitness by presenting The President's Volunteer Service Award to defensive back STEVE GREGORY of the San Diego Chargers for his contributions to his community by encouraging kids to stay active and healthy. This award presentation will take place during pregame ceremonies at Sunday's game, Nov. 30, against the Atlanta Falcons.
Gregory's "SG Fit Squad" provides specialized youth fitness training, nutrition education and a healthy weight-control program (age appropriate) that enables children to overcome health problems, develop active and positive lifestyles, raise self-esteem, and improve attendance and academic achievement.
NFL PLAY 60, which encourages the importance of staying active for at least 60 minutes a day, brings together the NFL's long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of partner organizations. Since the program was launched last year, the NFL has committed $100 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for public service announcements.
The Thanksgiving games will include special 90-second public service announcements featuring Lions wide receiver CALVIN JOHNSON , Eagles quarterback DONOVAN MCNABB and Cowboys linebacker DEMARCUS WARE . The PSAs were filmed at team PLAY 60 events, where players joined local children to build new places to play. They encourage fans to help fight childhood obesity during Thanksgiving week by logging onto www.NFL.com/PLAY60 to donate to organizations that support youth health and fitness.
Local youth football teams from Detroit, Dallas and Philadelphia will lead teams on-field at the start of each Thanksgiving game wearing special NFL PLAY 60 jerseys. The day's focus on youth continues with a halftime performance by the JONAS BROTHERS in Dallas and JESSE MCCARTNEY taking the stage in Detroit. MICHELLE WILLIAMS , DEMI LOVATO and MARIO will perform the National Anthem in Detroit, Dallas and Philadelphia, respectively. Items signed by each act will be auctioned off at NFL Auction ( www.nflauction.nfl.com ), with proceeds going to youth health organizations.
Beginning on Thanksgiving and continuing throughout the weekend, all stadiums will feature NFL PLAY 60 banners and on-field stencils.
Players receiving the President's Volunteer Service Award :
- Arizona - Matt Leinart
- Atlanta - Keith Brooking
- Baltimore - Ed Reed
- Buffalo - George Wilson
- Carolina - Jordan Gross
- Chicago - Roberto Garza
- Cincinnati - Brad St. Louis
- Cleveland - Kamerion Wimbley
- Dallas - DeMarcus Ware
- Denver - Rookie Club: Ryan Clady, Carlton Powell, Eddie Royal, Jack Williams and Wesley Woodyard
- Detroit - Mike Furrey
- Green Bay - Donald Driver
- Houston - Vonta Leach
- Indianapolis - Gary Brackett
- Jacksonville - Mike Peterson
- Kansas City - Donnie Edwards
- Miami - Greg Camarillo
- Minnesota - Adrian Peterson
- New England - Matt Light
- New York Giants - Eli Manning
- New York Jets - D'Brickashaw Ferguson
- New Orleans - Drew Brees
- Oakland - Nnamdi Asomugha
- Philadelphia - Brian Dawkins
- Pittsburgh - Brett Keisel
- St. Louis - Chris Draft
- San Diego - Steve Gregory
- San Francisco - Isaac Bruce
- Seattle - Bobby Engram
- Tampa Bay - Jovan Haye
- Tennessee - David Thornton
- Washington - Santana Moss
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