WASHINGTON - Washington Redskins standouts Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris are undisputed stars on the gridiron.
But they happily gave up their spots in the limelight to 350 military kids from throughout the National Capital Region, including approximately 40 from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, at Fort Belvoir's football field Sept. 30 for a 1 ½ hour session which combined football and fitness.
"We want them to know that not only aren't they forgotten, but we appreciate their service and their parents' service as well," said Griffin, a military kid whose parents served in the Army. "They want to see where they can go in life and hopefully we can be positive role models for them"
Dubbed the Play 60 Challenge by the National Football League, the initiative seeks to fight childhood obesity by encouraging kids to get active for at least 60 minutes a day.
"The second annual Salute to Play 60 event is an incredible event," said JBM-HH Command Sgt. Maj. Randall E. Woods.
Tanya Snyder, wife of Redskins owner Daniel Snyder, gave a pre-event pep talk to the kids.
"Show your energy on the field," she urged. "We are excited to see you guys moving."
The multi-station event featured Redskins players and cheerleaders coaching and leading at stations including flag football, a Zumba dancing station, obstacle courses and calisthenics.
"All those [Redskins] people were so nice," said Henderson Hall youngster Madison Moses. "The football player waited for us."
Rookie defensive back Akeem Davis, who was in charge at one of the obstacle courses, said he vividly remembered what it was like as a kid meeting someone famous.
"It humbles me to be with these military kids," he said. "They're so disciplined, and they know what it means to sacrifice a lot, and to be out here watching them have fun and watch them smile and run around. I'm getting more out of it than they do."
While the football players are well-known for their fitness regimes, Redskins cheerleaders also get more than 60 minutes of exercise in daily. They also shared their keep-fit philosophies.
"So much of what we do requires a high level of fitness and we really understand the importance of starting out at a young age and learning about fitness and nutrition. We love working with the kids. We love that we're teaching them at a young age," Annie, one of the First Ladies of Football, said.
The event was a reunion of sorts for Headquarters and Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps Henderson Hall commander Col. Michael S. Barnes and All Pro running back Morris, who both attended Pine Forest High School in Pensacola, Fl. Barnes, Morris and Sgt. Maj. Craig D. Cressman put the kids through their paces during a spirited game of flag football.
"This is a great opportunity," Barnes said. "This kind of sets the stage for Play 60 every day. I was really impressed that [the players and cheerleaders] took time out of their schedules to do this."
Many of the Redskins took part in the Zumba dancing station, which Morris and fullback Darrel Young said was as much of a challenge as a pre-season workout.
"Oh my goodness, I was sweating. I was shaking," Morris said with a wide smile and laugh.
Others participating from the Redskins family included players Ryan Grant, Niles Paul, Trent Murphy, Jason Hatcher and Shawn Lauvao. Super Bowl XXII Most Valuable Player Doug Williams, who is currently a personal executive to General Manager Bruce Allen; also on hand was Allen's wife, Kiersten.
"This is the second year my brother Jack and I have participated in Salute to Play 60. It was really fun out there playing with a few of the Redskins we watch on TV," commented Evan Maly, a 7th grader at Thomas Jefferson Middle School and son of Sgt. Maj. Alec Maly and Jennifer Maly of the U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own." "We wish we could have had more time to hang out with them. But it was really cool."
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