By Austin Moss
NFL Player Engagement
The NFL hosted its 14th Annual League Wide Day of Service Hometown Huddle event on Tuesday, October 23, 2012 at Tompkins Square Middle School. The NFL League Office and the United Way of New York City had over 80 employees volunteer their time and provide several helping hands in painting a Play 60 themed mural, planting trees, and coaching students through football position drills.
One of the main objectives of the Hometown Huddle event is to activate the NFL Play 60 campaign in which we encourage our local youth to engage in some type of physical activity for at least 60 minutes a day and also place heavy emphasis on maintaining a healthy diet. Through this platform, the NFL is able to promote sustaining a healthy lifestyle and use the game of football to teach the basic fundamentals of physical fitness.
New York Giants Center Jim Cordle and his wife Kerry also came out and participated in the event. They helped plant trees and spread new mulch on the school’s grounds, signed autographs, and did a great job interacting with the kids. The NFL’s Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Human Resources, Robert Gulliver, helped paint a mural on the school walls and was one of several employees who participated in the event.
The students took part in agility drills, tackling drills, and a running back challenge drill in which they exuded great effort and showcased their athletic ability. The NFL would like to thank the United Way, Tompkins Square Middle Principal Sonhando Estwick, faculty and staff, and students for their participation and enthusiasm in making this another successful Hometown Huddle event!