It was a great day for
Timucuan Elementary third-grader John Fitzgerald II when Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback David Garrard arrived at his house to take him to school!
John was one of 34 winners across the nation for the "NFL Take a Player to School" day presented by the JCPenney Afterschool Fund. The visit, part of NFL's PLAY 60 campaign, helps to encourage youth to get 60 minutes of exercise a day.
After spending some time with the quarterback and receiving a signed jersey, hat and football, Fitzgerald and Garrard headed to school in a black limo. When they arrived, they were greeted by Fitzgerald’s classmates and his principal, Calvin Reddick.
Principal Reddick, along with School Board Chairman Tommy Hazouri and other district representatives, brought Garrard and Fitzgerald into the multi-purpose room for a school-wide assembly.
Garrard spoke to students about the importance of exercise and healthy eating, and also encouraged the students to do well in school and listen to their parents and teachers.
Principal Reddick and the school were presented with a check for $2,000 for physical fitness programs, thanks to the NFL and JCPenney Afterschool Fund.
The real fun started when Garrard led students in fitness activities, including jump rope, lifting hand weights and doing sit-ups.
It wouldn't be a true visit from a Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback without a little football, so students joined Garrard outside for a game of tag football.
For more information on NFL PLAY 60, visit
www.NFLrush.com/health.
For more pictures from Garrard's visit to Timucuan Elementary, visit the
DCPS' flickr Photostream.
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