Sometimes when people watch football, it can look like there’s a whole lot of chaos on the field before someone gets tackled and you move on to the next play. But the reality is, it’s much more organized than you think – there’s always a game plan, someone calling the shots and a whole team that helps you get things done.

In a way, my family life is a lot like my life on the field. My wife Allie usually calls the shots, but we can’t always avoid the chaos, especially when we went from man-to-man to a zone defense by having our third! Add in the first time we’re tackling the back-to-school season and suddenly managing three kids under six takes way more strategy and energy. That’s when it’s definitely time to start fresh and come up with a new game plan, like we did this fall.

First, we’re making sure our kids get the fuel they need. As a football player, I know how important it is to have the right balance of foods so you can perform at your best. Kids need the same, so eating nutritious foods like dairy, fruits and veggies during the day is an easy way to give them energy. Always easier said than done when it comes to getting your kids to eat, so go easy on yourself if it doesn’t always happen!

Second, we’re keeping them moving. Being outside isn’t always an option and screens are an unavoidable part of life, so we try to use them to our advantage. Our kids love GoNoodle Games. I was excited to see GoNoodle partner with Fuel Up to Play 60, a leading national in-school health and wellness program, to create a two-player game called “Coach Terry’s Touchdown.” When we first played it, my kids and I raced down a football field while avoiding objects like foam fingers that tried to tackle us and collected “power ups,” like milk to keep our energy up to get to the end zone. I may be a pro-football player, but it wasn’t easy pulling out the “W” against my kids!

Finally, we’re keeping our kids busy by getting involved in school and community programs in our area. For the past few years, I’ve been an ambassador for Fuel Up to Play 60, a program launched by the National Football League (NFL) and National Dairy Council (NDC), which was founded by America's dairy farmers. It brings together students, educators, NFL players and farmers to build stronger and healthier communities. For educators, the program offers classroom-ready resources, funding opportunities, and ideas and inspiration on how we can work together to teach kids the importance of a healthy body, mind, and planet.

I’m sure your back-to-school season and the chaos that comes with it looks a lot like mine. But don’t forget you can start fresh and stay fresh this school year by making sure you have the right team – family, educators, friends, learning resources – behind you. And, don’t forget, you always have a chance to call audibles when you need to!

Sincerely,

Cam Heyward
FUTP 60 NFL Player Ambassador

Coach Terry’s Touchdown!
Are your kiddos huge GoNoodle Games fans? Do they play by themselves or compete with their siblings or friends? In our new game powered by Fuel Up to PLAY 60, Coach Terry’s Touchdown!, your kiddos can play solo or challenge each other with our new split screen feature in battle mode.

Coach Terry’s Touchdown! will focus their energy as they jog down the field, dodge opposing players, and duck to avoid flying foam fingers. They can collect chocolate, white, and strawberry milk, yogurt, and smoothies for bonus points, all while scoring as many touchdowns as they can in 60-seconds. Get your kiddos moving and bring their love of the game right onto their iOS or Android device so they can celebrate every win with a victory dance and a celebratory smoothie. Download the free GoNoodle Games suite to start playing Coach Terry’s Touchdown! today!