Legendary boxer Mike Tyson is joining forces with high-profile athletes and lawmakers to support a groundbreaking fitness program for American students.
According to Fox News, House Concurrent Resolution 20, introduced by Rep. Abe Hamadeh, R-Ariz., proposes a voluntary "Congressional Fitness Challenge" program that would award certificates signed by prominent congressional leaders to successful student participants.
The initiative comes amid growing concerns about American youth fitness levels, with Tyson highlighting alarming statistics from the Department of Defense showing that 77% of Americans aged 17 to 24 would require a waiver to serve in the military. The former heavyweight champion's own academy, along with other affiliated schools across multiple states, plans to implement the program.
The proposed challenge draws inspiration from the Presidential Physical Fitness Test of the 1960s, establishing a comprehensive evaluation system. Students will complete various physical tasks, including a mile-long run or walk, pull-ups, curl-ups, sit-ups, shuttle runs, and flexibility assessments.
Tyson expressed his concerns about the current state of American fitness, particularly regarding military preparedness. He emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues through systematic changes in physical education. Speaking about the initiative, Tyson stated:
Listen, because we need to be in shape, man. We can't physically get into an army because we're out of shape. And that's embarrassing. So it comes across we're the most heavy, heaviest people in the planet. We're the fattest people in world, Americans.
Former NFL stars Brett Favre and Antonio Brown have publicly endorsed the initiative, adding their voices to the growing support for youth fitness improvement. The athletes' backing brings additional credibility and attention to the program's objectives.
Favre and Hamadeh collaborated on an OutKick opinion piece, emphasizing the dual benefits of physical fitness for individual development and national security. The resolution establishes three achievement levels: gold for the top 85th percentile, silver for the 75th percentile, and bronze for the 50th percentile. This tiered system aims to motivate students while recognizing various levels of achievement.
The program's scope extends across K-12 public and private schools, with provisions for homeschooled students. Representatives can also organize community-based events to promote the challenge locally.
Rep. Hamadeh emphasized the connection between the initiative and broader national security concerns. The program aligns with President Trump's America First agenda and his administration's focus on public health improvement.
Republican Representatives Tony Wied and Martin Stutzman have signed on as co-sponsors, demonstrating growing legislative support for the fitness challenge.
Tyson's Transformational Technologies Academy, part of the My Life My Power International Preparatory Academy network, will serve as an early adopter of the program. The academy's participation could provide valuable insights for broader implementation.
The initiative presents a structured approach to combat rising obesity rates and declining fitness levels among American youth. It combines educational objectives with national security considerations in a comprehensive program.
The Congressional Fitness Challenge represents a collaborative effort between athletes, lawmakers, and educational institutions to address declining youth fitness levels in America. Mike Tyson, alongside Brett Favre and Antonio Brown, has thrown his support behind Rep. Hamadeh's House Concurrent Resolution 20, which proposes a voluntary fitness program for K-12 students. The initiative aims to improve military readiness and overall public health through a structured physical fitness program that awards achievement certificates signed by congressional leaders.
