Bobby, a 7th grader from Florida, is a 2013-2014 Fuel Up to Play 60 State Ambassador and attended the Student Ambassador Summit in 2013. Since attending the Summit, Bobby has continued to grow the program at schools in his area, been an active member of the Fuel Up to Play 60 Youth Advisory Panel, and he was just named NFL Play 60 Super Kid! This means Bobby will get a behind-the-scenes experience at the NFL Network studios in Los Angeles, CA and run on the field to hand off the ball to the referees at Super Bowl XLIX in Arizona!
Tell us about when you found out you were named NFL Play 60 Super Kid!
My parents had asked me where I would like to watch the game and they surprised me with the good news about seeing the game at Heinz Field. They told me that the NFL Play 60 team and the Steelers invited me to watch the playoff game in Pittsburgh as my prize for being one of the finalists. When I arrived, I was standing on the sideline watching the players warm up, as I turned around I saw a big red beard walking towards me and I realized it was #99 DE Brett Keisel. He comes right up to me and says, “What’s up, Bobby!” At this point, I’m wondering how he knows my name. He’s one of my favorite players and he knows my name. He asked me how the contest is going and I told him we haven’t heard any news yet. So he surprises me by announcing that I was the winner! I almost cried! I was so excited that I hugged him, I hugged my dad, and I hugged Keisel again. It was all exciting!
You’ve mentioned in the past that Fuel Up to Play 60 is more than just eating healthy and getting active, it’s about how you act towards others. Can you talk a little more about that?
The program does consist of focusing on eating healthy and playing 60, but most people don’t realize that health is also about being nice to others and making others feel good about themselves, so that they can want to be healthy. Kids like me want to participate in sports and activities if we know that we are going to feel good about it. We want to feel good, especially about ourselves and that means being kind and respectful to each other. Teamwork is so important! You have to be able to help one another and support each other, so that more kids will want to play outside and play in teams together. If I wasn’t a nice person to my peers, they probably wouldn’t listen to a word I say about the program. Every time I’m team captain at P.E., I am always fair to choose everyone. I don’t think about if a student is athletic or the fastest runner. Everyone has something to offer and I want to make everyone feel like they have a chance being on a team. When you have positive attitude towards others, positive things will happen.
Do you think being a State Ambassador and attending the Summit has helped you get to where you are today? How?
Oh definitely! I remember wanting to make a difference when I was about 8 years old and being able to meet with other Ambassadors from other states and hear their stories gave me ideas. All the activities helped build my leadership skills. I had such a great time and I remember just wanting to make that feeling last as long as possible. That meant going to my school and building on what I learned in Washington DC and coming up with different ways of creating a healthier environment and getting kids and teachers on board.
Attending the Student Ambassador Summit opened more opportunities for me because of all the connections I made and I was able to do more in my community and school to make it healthier. The Summit helped build my confidence by giving me the knowledge and resources to begin making a difference.
You’re still an active member of the Youth Advisory Panel. Tell us why you think it’s important that students have an active voice in the program.
Youth should have an active voice in an issue that affects them. We could offer insight on what works best and what doesn’t. I also think that it’s easier for kids to feel comfortable coming up with solutions together instead of feeling like our voices aren’t heard. We are going to be the future adults and be the future of America and we need to be responsible for our future by taking an active role.
What part of your winning experience are you most looking forward to?
The whole package is a great deal! But I am really looking forward to walking out on the football field on Super Bowl Sunday and handing the football to the official in front of a stadium packed with some of the greatest football fans in the world. Of course, my peers are looking forward to a visit from an NFL player and my teachers love the fact that we will receive a $10,000 grant and new P.E. equipment.
Tell us about your Program Advisor! How does he/she support you at your school? How do you work together?
Well, my Program Advisor is AWESOME! She is a Science teacher and it works well because she is so supportive and easy going. She always tries to get our opinion on what new ideas we can implement. She really supports the students having an active voice. I can run an idea by her and we make it work together. She also coordinates with me by trying to raise as much awareness as possible about the program and our club by staying late and speaking to parents with me about the importance of the program at the school. She also involves the students in her class in each period to become involved in making healthier choices in school and at home. Having a partner that supports you in what you love to do really does work!
How do you like to fuel up before getting active?
I like to fuel up by eating different fruits, such as strawberries, bananas, oranges, and grapes. If I know I’m going to be on the football field for a while or the golf course, then I like to eat my favorite snack, which is a salad I can put together very quickly. I mix an arugula salad with feta cheese, chunks of watermelon, and balsamic vinaigrette. It tastes delicious! I also make it a point to drink a glass of milk every day and water to stay hydrated.
Tell us more about your application to be named NFL Super Kid! Where did the inspiration come from? What set yours apart from the rest?
My application submission for the NFL Play 60 contest was inspired by all that I do in my community and at school. I felt that I wanted the NFL Play 60 team to see the real me and the real me is passionate, energetic, healthy, proactive in making a difference and a HUGE football fan! When I saw my video I felt that it showed who I really am. I wanted to wear my favorite player’s jersey and I wanted them to know that I am not only a huge football fan, but I am also a huge fan of living healthy by being active and eating right. I think that really set me apart from the rest.
What would you tell other students about how they can get involved in Fuel Up to Play 60 / be a super kid at their school?
Definitely log on to FuelUpToPlay60.com to keep an eye on all the upcoming opportunities and challenges and make sure to work closely with your state’s Dairy Council Fuel Up to Play 60 team. The Dairy Council of Florida has always been my biggest supporter. Lastly, be proactive in your school and community to make small changes that make a big difference. Be a great role model by being active and eating your favorite vegetables. There’s no telling how far you’ll go if you eat your vegetables.
Stay tuned! Bobby will be writing about his experience at Super Bowl XLIX exclusively on The Huddle, coming soon!
wow way to go keep it up
What a Wonderful opportunity, continue to be energetic and passionate about making a difference. Have fun!
Wow… that is AWESOME I BET U WERE SUPRISED
cool
Awesome
what you are doing is awesome and you are cute
love your hair keep cool
Awesome great kid!
hello
HOW FUNNY IS THIS
Good luck at super bowl! Pats or Seahawks?
Nice job Bobby!!!
keep up your hard work man
keep up you’re great work!!!!!!!!!!!!
Awesome!! Congratulations from all of us in West Texas!! Keep it up and enjoy the Superbowl!!
Great Job, Bobby. Keep up the great work! GO HAWKS!!
Lol!
wow super bowl great job bobby
I would love that to happen to my brother. Although I hope he wouldn’t get mad because he would have a total breakdown.
That’s so cool. I hope you have a awesome time at the super bowl. Keep up the good work!!!!
Keep up the great work
awesome
Way to go keep it up you are a good super star and I just saw you on the super bowl on tv
I love how you are fair with teams, a great team leader and all about being healthy. That’s really sweet!
I saw you on the field! Great job Bobby!!!
Thank you to everyone who left a comment and has given me the support that I need and we all need to continue to be part of such a GREAT program! Please keep up your great work and for those of you who can apply to be Ambassadors – please do it! You will be a great representative for your schools, community, and state! I look forward to reading your success stories!
Love you I’m so happy for you
I am an ambassador and I am glad to be in fuel up to play 60
Hey, it’s really good that u r eating healthy. I wish my second cousins would. They don’t do a single sport, and they don’t eat many fruits or vegetables! Me, on the other hand, exercise 4 and a half miles per day, eat healthy, and do tons of sports. You seriously cannot tell that we r cousins, our widths are opposites. U are a really good influence on kids! It’s cool that u got to meet your fav football player. Please respond!
Wow mtrack9! U run a lot! Keep up the good work! What’s your best times? My best mile is 8:02, I’m pretty slow, but I am determined to run after reading your comment! Maybe we could be running buddies and give each other tips! Hugs, Bobby
My best mile is 5:08. Don’t compare yourself to faster kids, everyone is different. You are still a very healthy kid! So what if your best is 8:02? Heres a tip: practice makes perfect. If u train hard, your mile time will speed up! maybe u could run 9 miles a week (no pressure) and get back to me after. Good job