(Nov. 23) -- Thanksgiving Week is a busy time for everyone, but schedules are extra tight when
you’re an NFL player -- it's the busy season.
Still, that isn't stopping the players and coaches from finding time to give back to the
community during the holiday season.
In fact, the league is spending this holiday actively encouraging America's youth to get
active during special games throughout Thanksgiving weekend.
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Courtesy San Francisco 49ers
Reggie Smith has made a practice of volunteering on Thanksgiving. His foundation will be providing meals to 20 handpicked families this holiday.
NFL Play 60 is a leaguewide effort to fight childhood obesity by getting kids active for at
least 60 minutes a day, and a special NFL Play 60 television spot will debut during each
of the three Thanksgiving games.
The 90-second spot features team executives and players from around the league joining
with local children to get healthy and active.
Chicago Bears defensive end Israel Indonije, along with Cincinnati Bengals linebacker
and San Diego Chargers defensive end Luis Castillo, wide receiver Deion Branch and St.
Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis, are among those featured in the spot, alongside
children who take part in Play 60 activities in their communities.
The spot also will air during the Sunday and Monday Night Football games on
Thanksgiving weekend and continue airing in a shorter format throughout the rest of the
season.
In addition, all Thanksgiving weekend games will raise awareness of the childhood
obesity epidemic and showcase the NFL and its clubs' commitment to help reverse
this trend. Beginning Thursday and continuing in the coming weeks, teams will
designate a home game as an "NFL Play 60" game where youth ambassadors will be
recognized on the field for their commitment to being healthy though programs like NFL
Flag Football and NFL Punt, Pass & Kick.
"Thanksgiving is a great day for family, football and food, and a perfect time to
encourage everyone to get active," said Commissioner Roger Goodell. "Our NFL Play 60
campaign continues to impact more children with each passing year, and we’re proud of
our teams for all that they do to keep kids healthy."
Of course, the giving back doesn't end there for some NFL players such as San Francisco
49ers safety Reggie Smith.
Not only will he be volunteering in San Francisco on Thanksgiving, but he will be doing
good works in his hometown of Oklahoma City via his charitable foundation, the
Reggie Smith Foundation.
"My brother, father and members of the Phi Sigma fraternity will be supplying food to 20
families that have been handpicked because of their needs."
Smith believes it's important for all NFL players to give back and says the benefits
outweigh the time crunch.
"Giving back keeps you level-headed," he told AOL News. "You never want to be
thinking about football every second. Seeing the effects my work has others puts a smile
on my face."