Patriot stresses fitness to Swampscott students

SWAMPSCOTT – Keep moving and eat healthy meals.That was the message that New England Patriots defensive back Devin McCourty delivered to the student population at Swampscott Middle School Tuesday morning.McCourty was at the school in conjunction with the National Dairy Council and the National Football League for “Fuel Up to Play 60,” a program encouraging regular exercise and healthy nutrition.McCourty briefly addressed the students during an assembly in the gymnasium and then led them on a walking lap around the softball field behind the school. This was all done as part of the “100 Mile Club” that the school is launching that challenges each student to walk 100 miles in the court in a year, according to Sheri Kasper of the New England Dairy and Food Council.This all came about in a curious sort of way. Tyler Seller, a seventh grade student at the middle school, did not do well in a health test last spring and ended up having to get involved with this program as an extra-credit assignment.?I really got involved with it,” he said, “and I became excited about it.”So excited, in fact, that he ended up going to Texas over the summer as an ambassador for the program. There, he met McCourty.?He was really great to me down there,” said Seller. “He was by my side for a lot of the time, and we became friendly.”The experience left Seller in much better physical shape than he was last spring, he said.Speaking to the children (after entering the gym with Seller, simulating a wheelbarrow race), McCourty stressed the importance of regular exercise. But more importantly, he said, eating well went a long way toward promoting healthy living.?Did everyone here have a good breakfast?” he asked.He told the children his work day started at 7:30 in the morning with squad meetings, which meant that by 7 a.m. he was in the Patriots cafeteria having breakfast.?And,” he said, “if I don?t have a good breakfast, I?m not going to last the morning.”Later, while the children were playing in the softball field, McCourty said, “we (professional football players) have it easy compared to these kids. We have a team nutritionist who tells us the dos and don?ts. We have it all spelled out for us. For example, our nutritionist says that on long flights, we should have at least one bottle of Gatorade, because that?ll keep us from cramping up.?It?s important to get into the habit (of eating well and exercising), when you?re young,” he said. “You get into a routine and you stick to it.”