Ravens Players Give NFL Grant To Towson School
TOWSON, Md. (WJZ) -- Tuesday, the NFL awarded 32 schools across the nation with a $10,000 grant for health and wellness programs.
Mary Bubala reports in Baltimore County, one of the Ravens' favorite players got to do the honors.
Students at Immaculate Heart of Mary in Towson screamed their heads off for Ray Rice, the Ravens running back fresh off a career best on Sunday.
On Tuesday, he turned the attention to the students, presenting them with a $10,000 Play 60 grant.
"It's amazing. I'm a kid at heart when you get to see the smiles on kids' faces, especially at this time of year," Rice said.
Ray got active with a hula hoop while teammate Ricky Williams did some squats and Andre Gurode got the kids running.
"It motivated me a lot, seeing how much they exercise," said seventh-grader Grace Schertle. "It'll make me exercise even more."
Play 60 launched in 2007 with a goal of getting NFL players into schools and showing kids they need to be active for at least 60 minutes a day.
"People look at us and you see guys in shape but it's really a build-up from when you are young and creating those habits while you are younger," said Torrey Smith.
While the school received the big grant, it also gave back. Students donated $500 to Rice's charity.
"This school is amazing for what they have done and I am so glad I am here today," Rice said.
Locally-based Proctor and Gamble honored a local parent with a $1,000 check to support Immaculate's athletic department.
"To find out we won and then to have this happen, it's just amazing. It's awesome," said parent Joanne McShalley.
Immaculate Heart of Mary won the contest based on a special Ravens Pride photo the student submitted and how they answered essay questions.
