The atmosphere at Pittsburgh Faison Elementary school was electric when Steelers wide receivers Hines Ward and Mike Wallace made a visit. The school was the local winner of the NFL's Play 60 Super School Program, earning them a visit from the players and a donation to the school.
Ward and Wallace addressed the entire student body, who were decked out in black and gold, encouraging them to stay active for 60 minutes a day.
"We know we are role models to the kids in our community," said Ward. "We are here to congratulate the kids for their school pride and being a part of the NFL Play 60. It's amazing. It looks like a pep rally today. We are preaching about education, because you have to have that, but also about health and wellness by going outside and playing for 60 minutes a day."
The players also took the kids through some of the activities that Play 60 encourages.
"I always liked recess," said Wallace. "I was always outside playing. You don't always realize the importance of it until you get older. You want to do a lot of activity when you are young. You want to be fit. You want everybody to be healthy – that is why we are here."
The school received a $10,000 donation from the NFL to buy exercise equipment and they will use it to start a cycling program, purchasing bicycles and teaching the kids how to ride them.
"It's great for the kids, great for the community," said physical education teacher Scott Manderino. "All of the kids have been talking about it for weeks. It was an amazing experience for them.
"We are very excited to win the NFL's Play 60 contest. It's going to mean a lot to our children. We're going to teach them how to be healthy, teach them about wellness and give them a lifetime skill."
