It couldn’t have been a more perfect Thursday morning: crisp Fall weather, Unified Champion Schools, Special Olympics New Jersey (SONJ) athletes, and former New York Giants Center Shaun O’Hara, all ready for this year’s edition of NFL Play 60 with the New York Giants.
A series of throwing and running skills, led by Shaun O’Hara, kept SONJ flag football athletes and students from local schools literally on the run. Basketball and pickleball stations rounded out the activities, there was something for everybody! Students from Rider University, which is an Official Higher Education Partner of the New York Giants, helped out at all the stations.
For more than 18 seasons, the NFL PLAY 60 initiative has been the League’s national Youth Health and Wellness platform to empower youth to get physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and encourage a healthy lifestyle.
The New York Giants have been committed supporters of SONJ since 2005, generously contributing to raising funds and awareness for our SONJ athletes through various events like the annual Snow Bowl in March and NFL Play 60.
The impact of such initiatives goes beyond just a day of football and fun. The presence of the New York Giants and their support not only uplifts the spirits of the athletes but also reinforces the sense of acceptance and empowerment championed by the Special Olympics movement. Through these events, partnerships like this not only help our athletes participate in sports year-round but also shine a spotlight on the remarkable abilities and determination of our athletes.
After all the running and playing, students and teachers enjoyed a scrumptious meal catered by Jersey Mike’s, one of SONJ’s long time partners.
