Press Release: Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Redskins Health Ambassadors DeAngelo Hall and Ryan Kerrigan Fight Childhood Obesity with Exercise

[Mark The Homer]

PRESS RELEASE

Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and Redskins Health Ambassadors DeAngelo Hall and Ryan Kerrigan

Fight Childhood Obesity with Exercise

Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Visited Albert Hill Middle School in Richmond, VA to Announce Launch of a Statewide Physical Fitness Program

ASHBURN, VA –Redskins Cornerback DeAngelo Hall, Redskins Linebacker Ryan Kerrigan, and Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell hosted a youth fitness event today at Albert Hill Middle School in Richmond, VA. The youth fitness event served as the background for the launch of the Redskins Play 60 Challenge across the entire Commonwealth of Virginia for all sixth, seventh, and eighth grade students, which encourages youth to be active for 60 minutes every day as a way to combat childhood obesity.

After announcing the program, DeAngelo Hall, Ryan Kerrigan, and VA Governor Bob McDonnell led 50 students in a series of exercises designed to help make fitness an everyday activity.

“Growing up in Chesapeake (VA), I am thrilled to partner with the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, Governor McDonnell, and GlaxoSmithKline to launch this fitness initiative across my home state of Virginia,” said Redskins Health Ambassador and Cornerback DeAngelo Hall. “It is so important for kids to get up and get active. The Play 60 Challenge provides a way to do this and gives them a chance to earn Redskins incentives along the way.”

"The First Lady and I are excited about teaming up with the Washington Redskins and GlaxoSmithKline to launch this important initiative for children all across the Commonwealth," the Governor said. "We know that the healthier our students are, especially during the demanding years of middle school, the more they are going to be able to focus and achieve academically. We encourage parents, teachers, neighbors, and friends to join with us to help our students meet the Redskins Play 60 Challenge."

Childhood obesity is a growing, national health issue that can lead to chronic health conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The Redskins Play 60 Challenge, GSK’s Healthy Communities program, and the Governor’s Health and Wellness initiative will help Virginia students lead more active lives.

-REDSKINS-

About GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline – one of the world’s leading research-based pharmaceutical and health care companies – is committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do more, feel better, and live longer. For further information, please visit http://us.gsk.com. GlaxoSmithKline helped develop, provides funding and editorial support for this program.

About Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and First Lady Maureen McDonnells’ Health and Wellness Initiative

The Governor and First Lady encourage “A Commonwealth of Opportunity for Health and Wellness,” emphasizing preventive healthcare and healthy living through nutrition and physical activity, the prevention of childhood obesity, and awareness of health prevention strategies. The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth (VFHY) promotes good nutrition and physical activity among the youth of Virginia.. The Virginia Foundation for Healthy Youth issues grants for programs and initiatives to reduce and prevent youth tobacco use and childhood obesity throughout the Commonwealth each year.

About Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation

Founded by Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder, the Charitable Foundation is guided by its Leadership Council that consists of CEOs who help shape and define the philanthropic efforts of the Redskins to achieve a measurable impact on youth development in the areas of education, community outreach, and health and wellness.