Florida Governor Crist Welcomes Super Bowl XlII Visitors To Sunshine State

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Applauds Nfl's Work To Promote Physical Fitness

Florida’s 14th Super Bowl expected to have $300-million economic impact

January 28, 2009 -- TAMPA – As part of community activities leading up to Sunday’s Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, Governor Charlie Crist today visited with 2,000 local children from the Tampa Bay area attending the NFL PLAY 60 Kids’ Day at The NFL Experience. Current and former NFL players were on hand to interact with the children, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Warrick Dunn and linebacker Derrick Brooks, who also serves as chair of the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness.

Some of the youth attending Kids’ Day in Tampa have been participating in the NFL PLAY 60 What Moves U challenge and committed to getting 60 minutes of exercise each day for four to six weeks.

“I applaud the young people of Florida who have committed to live a healthy lifestyle and to exercise each day,” Governor Crist said. “I also commend our friends in the NFL for helping inspire Floridians of all ages to be active and stay motivated.”

During the event, students learned about the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Governor Crist commented that the NFL PLAY 60 Kids’ Day shares a common goal with the Governor’s Fitness Challenge. Students participating in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge invest two or three days each week, totaling 90 minutes of exercise, in order to improve in five skill activities related to strength, endurance, flexibility, speed and agility. Participating schools have the opportunity to receive cash awards for the purchase of sports or fitness equipment for their schools. Last year 132,128 students in 307 elementary schools participated in the Governor’s Fitness Challenge, and this year the challenge will be expanded to include middle schools.

About the Economic Impact of Super Bowl XLIII

Super Bowl XLIII is the 14th Super Bowl hosted by the Sunshine State, and the fourth in Tampa. In fact, Florida has hosted more Super Bowls than any other state – including four since 2000 – and Tampa is one of only four cities in the United States to host the Super Bowl at least four times.

Super Bowl XLIII is expected to draw Florida’s one-millionth Super Bowl attendee to Raymond James Stadium and have a $300-million economic impact. The Super Bowl is the world’s largest one-day sporting event, and in 2010, Miami will host Florida’s 15th Super Bowl. Since 1999, Florida’s sports industry has grown from a $16-billion a year industry to an estimated $36-billion a year industry, employing more than 400,000 Floridians.

Governor Crist is committed to fostering healthy lifestyles for every Floridian at an early age. In 2007, Governor Crist signed legislation requiring elementary students to have the equivalent of 30 minutes of physical education every day. In 2008, Governor Crist signed legislation requiring middle school students (grades 6 through 8) to have one class period per day of physical education for one semester, beginning in the 2009-10 school year.

To learn more about the Governor’s Fitness Challenge, please visit www.GovernorsFitnessChallenge.com.

Source: Florida Governor