Cribbs: Play 60

09.22.2009

Browns wide receiver/kick returner Joshua Cribbs visited Albion Middle School in suburban Strongsville Tuesday to kick off the Cleveland Browns' Play 60 Challenge.

During the punt, pass and kick competition, Cribbs provided advice to the young athletes competing at the passing station.

Check out video highlights of Joshua Cribbs' visit to Albion Middle School.

"Anything with kids, I'm involved with it," Cribbs said. "I didn't have the opportunity to meet too many NFL players when I was a kid. It does my heart a great thing to give back. It's my job as an NFL player."

During the Play 60 event, students received their own "playbook" to record their minutes over the next six weeks. Albion is competing against 18 other Cleveland-area schools to see who can log the most minutes.

"It makes all the difference in the world," Renee Harvey, Director of Community Relations for the Browns said of player involvement. "As soon as they see one of their heroes or someone that they look up to, it drives the message home and means the world to the kids.

"They are the perfect individuals to deliver the message," she added. "It's a starting point for the kids to train. They are living proof that they need health and fitness in their lives."

Each teacher also received a "game planner" with tips, ideas and lesson plans which will help them incorporate physical activity into their curriculum.

The Cleveland Browns Play 60 Challenge is brought to northeast Ohio by the Cleveland Browns, American Heart Association, Medical Mutual of Ohio, American Dairy Association Mideast and Fuel Up to Play 60 and Cleveland Clinic. The program encourages kids to get at least 60 minutes of activity every day.

Founded in 1924, the American Heart Association is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary health organization dedicated to building healthier lives, free of heart disease and stroke. These diseases, America's No. 1 and No. 3 killers, and all other cardiovascular diseases claim over 870,000 lives a year. In fiscal year 2006-07 the association invested more than $554 million in research, professional and public education, advocacy and community service programs to help all Americans live longer, healthier lives. To learn more, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or visit americanheart.org.