New England Patriots Kicker Gostkowski Visits Vernon to Promote Healthy Habits

In front of a packed gymnasium at Vernon Center Middle School on Wednesday morning, New England Patriots placekicker Stephen Gostkowski made a confession.

"I didn't always eat breakfast when I was young,'' he said.

Things kind of worked out. He's now the most accurate kicker in Patriots history and sixth all-time for National Football League kickers.

But that was not the point of his visit. As a spokesman for the NFL's Fuel Up to Play 60 campaign, he was on hand to stress healthy eating and active lifestyles.

"I understand breakfast is the most important meal now,'' he said. "The most important thing you can do is eat right and be active. You don't have to be a star athlete. Just find something you like to do.''

Gostkowski said he likes to bowl, play golf and hit the tennis ball around during the offseason.

The Fuel Up to Play 60 program is a joint endeavor by the NFL and the National Dairy Council in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The goal is to get students to participate in a physical activity for 60 minutes each day and "fuel up'' with a diet that includes low- and fat-free dairy products along with fruits, vegetables and grains.

The program is in more than 70,000 schools nationwide and the New England Dairy Council  said that includes 3,500 schools in Patriots land and 930 of those are in Connecticut.

The council said that is among the most active in terms of program participation and tracking the students' dietary pledges.

So when he was approached about an event in his district, U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, a member of the Agriculture Committee and a Vernon resident, said it was a "no-brainer'' about where to go.

"This is a high-energy school for something like this,'' Courtney said before he addressed the young people.

The Board of Education has already pledged to follow the program closely.

State Rep. Timothy Ackert ready a stature proclamation honoring VCMS. Superintendant of Schools Mary Conway, Mayor Jason McCoy and state Rep. Claire Janowski were also on hand.

State Agriculture Commissioner Steve Reviszky addressed the crowd and Greg Peracchio, a dairy farmer from Woodstock, joined Gostkowski in a question and answer session with students.

There were as many questions about cows as football.

Damaris Miller won a Patriots No. 21 Fred Taylor jersey that was raffled off. Taylor is also a Fuel Up to Play 60 spokesman.

Gostkowski came to VCMS wearing his own No. 3 game jersey, which he signed and offered up for a raffle on the last day of school. To be eligible, students must register for Fuel Up's online dietary tracking system.

Gostkowski is a natural fit for the program, considering he studied exercise science while at the University of Memphis.

"We want all of you to exercise for at least 60 minutes every day, but you can do more if you want,'' he told the students.

He then thought about that breakfast thing.

"And eat healthy,'' he said. "I did not drink enough milk when I was young. I do now.''