NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Titans cornerback Jason McCourty has partnered as an ambassador with the Southeast United Dairy Industry Association this year to encourage students to 'Fuel Up' with healthy food so they can get up and be active for 60 minutes a day.
McCourty joined Southeast United Dairy Industry Association in a photo shoot earlier this week to inspire students about the importance of school wellness.
"It means a lot to me to be able to reach out to kids all across Tennessee and spread the message about Fuel Up to Play 60," said McCourty. "Programs like these are one of the reasons I love being a Tennessee Titan!"
Many schools lack the resources to execute school wellness and this is why the Southeast Dairy Association, on behalf of dairy farmer families, is proud to support schools in the fight for healthier kids. The program gives opportunities for Fuel Up to Play 60 schools to write for grants to kick off or enhance their wellness plan in their schools.
"SUDIA couldn't have picked a better player to partner with than Jason McCourty," said Titans Director of Marketing Brad McClanahan. "He is a true professional and a tremendous example to youth across our entire state of how to live a healthy lifestyle."
Fuel Up to Play 60 is an in-school nutrition and physical activity program launched by the National Dairy Council, the Southeast Dairy Association and the NFL. It's all about getting students to 'Fuel Up' with nutrient-rich foods missing from their diets like low-fat and fat-free milk and milk products, fruits, vegetables and whole grains to 'get-up and play' for 60 minutes a day. New research shows that better nutrition starting with breakfast, coupled with increased physical activity, can lead to better academic achievement.
"It's great to see students get excited about milk," said Randy Davis, president of the American Dairy Association of Tennessee. "It's important to start teaching kids about good food choices and staying active to maintain a healthy body as early as possible. Schools, families and communities all have to work together to ensure our kids are getting the best nutrition, and dairy foods provide essential vitamins and minerals growing kids need. The dairy farmers of Tennessee are proud to partner with the Tennessee Titans."
NFL players and farmers are really not that different! They are both team players, hard workers, spend a lot of time on a field, have strong work ethics, love their jobs, are dedicated and take pride in the final product. They share many positive qualities and both work very hard at their jobs.
"We are excited about the photo shoot opportunity today and Jason helping to create excitement with Tennessee youth helps to expand the Fuel Up to Play 60 program," said Joan Benton, manager of school health and wellness with Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc. "Healthy students are better students, which is what Fuel Up to Play 60 is all about."
The NFL Play 60 campaign is designed to tackle childhood obesity by getting kids active through in school, afterschool and team-based programs. The Southeast Dairy Association and the Titans work together to help make wellness part of the game plan in Tennessee schools through the Play 60 campaign/Fuel Up to Play 60. The program encourages schools to make healthy changes in students' eating habits and physical activity.
Whether you are a parent, educator or friend, you can have a positive influence and make a difference in a child's life by encouraging them to eat well and play for 60 minutes a day.
