Fans at The Detroit Lions home game against the Atlanta Falcons saw two amazing things happen: Calvin Johnson broke the long standing NFL record for single season receiving yards AND Playworks Detroit hosted a recess with over 400 local children during halftime!
The goal of this experience is to highlight the importance of physical activity and play as a way of promoting a healthy lifestyle for children in our community.
This giant Recess was led by Brad Galli, sports reporter with WXYZ-TV, and Playworks Detroit’s very own Coach Adio. The 400 kids charged the field to play alongside Detroit Lions alumni Ron Rice, Lamar Campbell, Damien Gregory and Cory Schlesinger.
They started off with stretches and jumping jacks to get everyone ready, followed by jump roping and hula hooping to really get the kids moving.
Recess ended with a giant game of Spiders and Flies. Playworks coaches and Lion’s alums played the part of the “spiders,” trying to tag the “flies” as all the kids ran from one end zone to the other!
“There is nothing like seeing the joy on a child’s face when they are safely playing at recess,” said Playworks Detroit Executive DirectorJeannine Gant, , “Playworks is so glad the Lions see the value of play in helping children get physically active.”
Playworks would like to thank the Detroit Lions, along with Bank of America and Henry Ford Health System, Come Play Detroit and Butterfly Effect Detroit for giving the gift of play to the students who participated in the half time recess.
Playworks also extends a double high five to the 50 volunteers who took the field alongside the children and to the 80 parents and teachers who chaperoned the event!
Participating schools include:
- Phoenix Academy in Detroit
- A.L. Holmes Elementary in Detroit
- Woodward Academy in Detroit
- Burton International Academy in Detroit
- West Hills Middle School in Bloomfield Hills
- Auburn Elementary in Auburn Hills
- Roosevelt Elementary in Keego Harbor
- Roosevelt Primary in Ferndale
- Cornerstone School, Nevada Campus in Detroit
- Paul Robeson, Malcolm X Academy in Detroit
- Dixon Learning Academy in Detroit
- Visger Elementary in River Rouge
Check out the Detroit Lion’s online album and Playworks Detroit’s facebook album for more pictures!
