Nfl Network may line up to renovate Lynn middle-school gym

LYNN – The 2009 NFL season is only a few short months away, but the New England Patriots are already starting their championship run in a charitable way, teaming with the NFL Network to bring the ?Keep Gym in School’ program to Lynn next year.Assistant Director for Health Curriculum Dennis Thompson told the School Committee Thursday night that the district is “99 percent” sure that it will become a part of the NFL’s national student-health initiative that will bring with it, among other things, $50,000 for the city to renovate one middle school gymnasium.”It is not a slam dunk yet, but I have been in close contact with the NFL Network and they have assured me that it is 99 percent that Lynn will get this grant,” Thompson told the committee. “If we do get the grant and it is approved by the mayor and School Committee, it would not take the place of gym in our schools, it would work in partnership with it.”The multi-faceted initiative, aimed at middle-school students, will provide money to renovate one school gym, including adding new equipment, and bring Patriots players and NFL officials to Lynn on two occasions to run an NFL youth mini-camp and fitness challenge for students.If selected, representatives from the city would travel to Foxborough Stadium for a Patriots game where the city will be recognized on the field. In addition, one winning student from the fitness challenge will take a trip to the 2010 NFL Draft in New York.”About 1/3 of U.S. children are overweight,” said Thompson. “Those rates have doubled over the last two decades so the NFL Network is dedicated to restoring gym class in America’s schools and keeping America’s students in shape.Thompson said he hopes to have a definite answer from the NFL soon and is not sure which school will be chosen for the renovations or where the mini camp will take place.