As the Cincinnati Bengals prepare for Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, ABC wanted to share how proud and grateful we are of our continued partnership with their organization. Since 2018, the Bengals have supported ABC’s mission through various means, impacting the lives of tens of thousands of students. ABC is extremely grateful for the contributions of the Bengals and the wonderful impact they have had on the Cincinnati community.
The Cincinnati Bengals have been a tremendous supporter of AAA Pathway. Launched during the 2018-19 school year through a partnership between ABC and CPS Athletics, the AAA (Athletic and Academic Accountability) Pathway program is a comprehensive student athlete development program designed to provide CPS athletes the supports needed to achieve success in both their academics and athletics. AAA Pathway includes career coaching, academic support, ACT tutoring, nutritional guidance, mentoring, and more.
Since the program launched in 2018-19, the Cincinnati Bengals have donated over $130,000 to help support AAA Pathway. In addition to their financial support, the Bengals have donated school supplies to participating students (which Bengals players packed into bags themselves).
During the 2020 pandemic, while students in AAA Pathway have been meeting virtually, various Bengals players have joined virtual ACT Bootcamp calls to lend their support to the students. Bengals players, such as offensive lineman Michael Jordan, joined the video chat and answered any questions students had about college, the ACT test, or other various topics.
For the 2021-22 school year, AAA Pathway will be available to every student athlete in Cincinnati Public Schools. The availability of this program to thousands of student athletes is possible largely thanks to the Bengals.
Starting in 2017, ABC and CPS lead fundraising efforts to revitalize the athletic field at South Avondale Elementary. The Bengals generously donated $250,000 to the campaign, a gift that allowed us to roll up our sleeves and get to work.
On August 5, 2021, the vision became a reality and a ceremony was held to unveil the newly upgraded field to the public. The mascot and cheerleaders from the Bengals were on hand to help lead the festivities, and the Bengals provided students from South Avondale Elementary with a Play 60 session, allowing them to run football related drills (more on that below). The Bengals also provided the students with official team memorabilia.
Equipped with newly installed field turf, the athletic field at South Avondale Elementary School is expected to be utilized annually by 5,000 students between the ages of 4-17. This would not be possible without the generosity of the Bengals.
In October 2007, the NFL launched the Play 60 initiative as an effort to get students to become more active. The NFL and its teams, such as the Bengals, host Play 60 events throughout the year, enabling children to play football related activities for free, with professional players, coaches, cheerleaders, and the mascots on hand to encourage them. The idea is to encourage children to get at least 60 minutes of physical play time each day, in an effort to stay in better shape. These events make a memorable, lasting impact on the children they reach.
The Cincinnati Bengals have provided a number of these free Play 60 activity sessions to students at Cincinnati Public Schools. In August, the Bengals mascot and cheerleaders were on hand as students from South Avondale Elementary participated in a Play 60 event on the brand new turf field at the school.
In addition, students from Hughes High School were permitted to take a trip to Paul Brown Stadium and participate in a Play 60 event. These students were given the opportunity to participate in football activities on the same field where the Bengals play their games!
Thank you Cincinnati Bengals for all that you do to support ABC and the charitable efforts you make to support students at Cincinnati Public Schools! We are wishing you the best this weekend in Los Angeles, as you compete in the Super Bowl!
WHO DEY!!!
