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The energy level was off the charts as Steelers players put kids through a fun workout, and got a workout themselves, as part of the NFL/United Way Hometown Huddle.

“It was a lot of fun,” said Weslye Saunders. “These guys must have had a lot of M&M’s and Skittles because they have a lot of energy. They are giving us energy and we are feeding off of it.

“We are trying to make it cool to be healthy and exercise and be active and not stay in and play video games all day. The kids are so energized. I can’t remember the last time I had this much energy.”

This is the 13^th year that the Steelers have taken part in the Hometown Huddle, a day of volunteerism in every NFL city. The Steelers rookie class, along with the team’s United Way spokesman Charlie Batch and conditioning assistant Marcel Pastoor, participated by bringing the NFL’s Play60 message to Pittsburgh Linden K-5 School.

“We want to make sure they are getting 60 minutes of activity a day, making sure they are eating healthy,” said Batch. “That is part of it, getting them off the couch and doing something active.

“We also stress education. That is very important. In order to play sports you have to take care of what you need to in the classroom. If you don’t take care of your grades, you don’t get the opportunity to play.  You have to stress that at an early age.”

The entire student body took part in an assembly with the players as surprise guests. Once the screaming and cheering quieted down, the excited students had an opportunity to ask the players questions which ranged from how many players are on a roster, why player fines are so high and if players get in trouble if they do something wrong on the field.

“Do you get in trouble when you do something wrong in the classroom,” Cameron Heyward asked back. After a resounding yes, he told them, “There is your answer, yes.”

Students that have excelled with perfect attendance and turning in all of their homework assignments got an additional bonus, taking part in fun and games on the playground with the players.

Pastoor set up a series of activities for the kids to participate in, with the players leading the drills. But it didn’t take long for the games to change to ones the young kids play regularly – from a football version of hopscotch, to Simon Says renamed “Cameron” Says by Heyward, to ‘red light, green light.’  

“All during elementary school I loved going outside to play,” said Heyward. “It’s vital for everyone to get exercise. I used to dress up in my nice clothes and get them dirty.”

The Steelers presented Linden a check for $2,500 to use for physical education programs and the team’s training partners donated equipment used for the event to the school.

“It has been energizing, electrifying, something that has been very inspirational for our students,” said Principal Victoria Burgess. “You could feel the electricity when the players talked to them about education, being on time and doing the right thing.

“The fact that the Steelers are making sure they are moving and being healthy is an excellent thing. When you have community members come in and sacrifice their time and are willing to take part in the community it makes you know we are all in this together.”