The NFL, USA Football, GENYOUth and Fuel Up to Play 60 have expanded the Fuel Up to Play 60 NFL FLAG Essentials program. The increase physical activity of youth, with the distribution of NFL FLAG Essentials Kits to 4,000 schools nationwide will reach 1.5 million new students and double the number of resources provided in the first two years of the program.

“This partnership continues to positively impact the health and wellness of youth nationwide by helping kids be physically active, while also providing many of them with their first experience playing football,” said NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. “We are excited to offer more kids the opportunity to get involved in the sport and play 60 each day.”

In 2014, the NFL and GENYOUth developed a turn-key approach to the crisis in physical inactivity by supporting America’s PE teachers with resources to help students build a foundation for healthy, lifelong physical activity through football. NFL FLAG Essentials Kits, which include footballs, flag belts, posters and a PE curriculum designed by SHAPE America for elementary and middle school students, allow for students to get active and learn the basics of football in a fun environment.

“The flag program has been successful in part because it’s dynamic, strategic, challenging, safe, and fun and it teaches kids of all different abilities teamwork, resiliency, and respect,” Alexis Glick, CEO of GENYOUth. “We are thrilled to partner with the NFL to bring this solution to educators and students and are enthusiastic about the results we’re seeing, especially in the number of girls who are feeling empowered to get involved and get out and play.”

In addition to supplying NFL FLAG Essentials Kits, the partners will provide in-person NFL FLAG trainings, using a curriculum developed by USA Football and SHAPE America, for PE teachers in 18 NFL club markets this fall, including: Baltimore, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Denver, Detroit, Green Bay, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Nashville, New Orleans, New York, Oakland, Philadelphia, San Diego, Tampa Bay, and Washington, D.C. The dedicated trainings will help educators build flag football into their PE programs and increase physical activity among their students. To date, more than 1,500 PE teachers have received in-person NFL FLAG trainings.