Joined by children from the Washington, DC area, the President and players come together for a friendly game of touch football, reminding fans about the importance of being active as part of NFL PLAY 60, the league’s youth health and fitness campaign. Filmed on the White House lawn earlier this month by NFL Films, the PSA also encourages viewers to get involved in their communities and remember the importance of service.

Drew Brees, a PLAY 60 spokesman, said:

“Thanksgiving is a time when families come together, and it is also a perfect time to focus on the importance of keeping kids healthy and active. I was honored to spend time with the President on an issue that is clearly important to him. I was also impressed by his wide receiver skills.”

Designed to tackle childhood obesity, NFL PLAY 60 brings together the NFL’s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with partner organizations. Since the program was launched in 2007, the NFL has committed $200 million to youth health and fitness through programming, grants, and media time for PSAs.

President Obama launched United We Serve to challenge all Americans—young and old, from every background across the country—to create meaningful change in their communities by engaging in service that is sustained and focuses on impact. When volunteers commit to long-term service projects in their communities, they build expertise and strengthen the community’s capacity to meet its challenges. To learn more about United We Serve or find service projects in specific communities, the President is encouraging everyone to visit www.serve.gov.

In support of NFL PLAY 60, 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. Beginning on Thanksgiving Day and continuing throughout Weeks 12-14, teams will designate a home game as an ‘NFL PLAY 60’ game. On-field elements will include PLAY 60 field stencils, banners and goal post wraps. Teams also will invite ‘NFL PLAY 60 youth ambassadors’ to run on-field and stand alongside players for the National Anthem. These youngsters were selected by each team for their commitment to being healthy, through programs like NFL Punt, Pass & Kick, NFL FLAG Football and through participation in the NFL-American Heart Association PLAY 60 Challenge.

Fans can visit NFLRUSH.com/Play60 or Serve.gov to learn about volunteer opportunities and how they can get involved.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Players Join President Obama in PSA

On the eve of the Presidential election, ESPN will present interviews with Democratic candidate Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain at halftime of tomorrow’s Monday Night Football game between the Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Chris Berman will be conducting the interviews during the day tomorrow and ESPN will air them during halftime. I’m actually interested to hear what Boom’s questions are.

Source: ESPN.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Obama, McCain to Appear on MNF

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Cleveland Browns quarterback Brady Quinn and left tackle Joe Thomas appeared at a rally for Republican presidential candidate John McCain this past week. Meanwhile, linebacker Willie McGinest (along with Cleveland Cavs star Lebron James) were pumping voter registration at a Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama rally recently. Will this promote division in the Browns locker room? Head coach Romeo Crennel gathered his squad and told them not to let politics become a dividing force within the team:

“Their politics are their politics as long as they don’t interfere with the team. My main concern is that they don’t get on the soap box here in the locker room. That’s why the ballot is a secret ballot when you go vote.”

This political season has sparked some very heated debate and I agree with coach Crennel to warn his team of the potential division the election could create. I see it in my own life everyday. Some people who used to speak to me no longer do because of my political affiliation. Is that insane? But it happens. And it could happen to the Cleveland Browns if they aren’t careful. Then again, considering their 1-3 start with the defending Super Bowl champion and currently undefeated N.Y. Giants in town for Monday Night Football in two days, maybe they need a good shaking up.

Source: The Chronicle-Telegram, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Romeo Crennel Discourages Political Talk