Newsweek Magazine selected Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew to speak at the publication’s Executive Forum: Childhood Obesity, “Challenges and Ways to Promote Health and Wellness in America’s Communities” on Tuesday at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. The event will be held from noon to 2:00 p.m. and is scheduled for broadcast on CSPAN.
Jones-Drew has been actively involved with the NFL’s Fuel Up to Play 60 program, a league-wide initiative to combat youth obesity. The emphasis is on daily activity, fitness, and nutrition for better health. More information about the program can be found at http://www.fueluptoplay60.com.
“I’m honored and excited to be asked to go to our nation’s capitol to represent the NFL at this forum,” Jones-Drew said. “Tackling youth obesity is very important, and is an issue that both the First Lady and the NFL have been vocal about. We need to get the word out and I’m pleased to be asked to participate.”
The luncheon, presented in partnership with the National Dairy Council and its affiliates, is designed to increase awareness about this national health issue and policy priority.
Jones-Drew will also attend a luncheon at the Newseum on Wednesday, March 17 where First Lady Michelle Obama will participate in the magazine’s Executive Forum on childhood obesity entitled, “Challenges and Ways to Promote Health and Wellness in America’s Communities.” Obama started a nationwide campaign, Let’s Move, to tackle the problem of childhood obesity in a generation.