Titans Go Wild During 'Play 60' Day at Nashville Zoo

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Click here for photos*NASHVILLE, Tenn -- Nearly 5,000 fans showed up to get physical with the Tennessee Titans as they teamed up with the Nashville Zoo in hosting a "wild" day of fitness and activities for the entire family.  All of the excitement was part of the Titans "Play 60" initiative to encourage youth to become more physically active and lead healthier lifestyles by getting at least 60 minutes of active play each day in effort to fight childhood obesity.  The Titans "Play 60" event included low impact football drills, activities and inflatable games geared toward children ages 3-14. 

Titans players Eugene Amano, Ken Amato, David Ball, Larry Birdine, Pete Clifford, Jacob Ford, Leroy Harris, Matthew Mulligan, Craig Stevens, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Kevin Vickerson and Paul Williams encouraged kids through the series of physical drills such as obstacle courses, relay races, field goal kicking challenges and more.

"Hopefully, in addition to having fun today, they (kids) get the message that their health is important and they need to be as active as possible," said Kyle Vanden Bosch. "As a father, you want the best for your kids to get them started early with not only being healthy, but having good nutrition and to give them a good start on life."

Thousands of kids were thrilled about the opportunity to take part in games and activities along side their favorite Titans players.  Community partners such as the American Heart Association, the Southeast Dairy Association, Purity Dairy and GetFit Tennessee were also on hand to promote the importance of heart health, proper nutrition and healthy habits to everyone in attendance.  Partnerships with local non-profit organizations, like the Nashville Zoo, have enhanced the Titans "Play 60" mission by providing additional opportunities to reach out to America's youth. 

"Tennessee does not rank as one of the healthiest states in the nation and unfortunately we are facing an obesity epidemic," said Susan Cooper, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Health. "This (Play 60) is about helping kids learn that fitness can be fun and all they have to do is start where they are."

This was the first community-wide event that the Titans have hosted to promote the "Play 60" message to families, allowing them the opportunity to come out and interact with the Titans players, cheerleaders and T-Rac, the Titans mascot.  The Nashville Zoo docent crew also participated with animal related games and educational stations to illustrate why health and fitness are the keys to the survival of the fittest. 

"Our nephews really had a big time at the event," said Ann Collett, a Titans season-ticket holder from Nashville.  "They could hardly get from one from activity to the next fast enough!  I think they're football players in the making!  We thank the Titans and the zoo for making the experience possible!"

Since the NFL's "Play 60" inception, the NFL has committed over $100 million to raising awareness of the importance of youth health and fitness.  The Tennessee Titans make weekly visits to area middle schools during the season as part of Titans Tuesday efforts to promote the "Play 60" message.  Titans players talk about being physically active and good nutrition throughout their lives and the importance of good health for any career.

For more information about the NFL "Play 60" program, visit www.NFLRUSH.com.