The Oakland Raiders had a historic October - setting the franchise record for most points scored in a 59-14 romp over the rival Denver Broncos. On Tuesday, Oct. 26, they made a little more history when star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and a band of teammates helped inaugurate the new physical education facility at Roosevelt Middle School.

The players found an appreciative audience as nearly 700 Roosevelt Middle School students, faculty and staff participated in an energetic pep rally emceed by the NFL Network's Scott Hanson. The event featured spirited performances by the visiting Skyline High band and cheerleading squad as well the Raiderettes.

The Silver-and-Black were joined by OUSD's Deputy Superintendent for Business Services Vernon Hal, California Superintendent of Schools Jack O'Connell, Assemblyman Sandré Swanson, Oakland City Councilwoman Pat Kernighan, PTA President Alice Newscombe and Comcast Senior V.P. Curt Henninger to celebrate the redesigned workout space.

The conversion of the former storage room to a fitness and dance studio was made possible by a $25,000 grant from the NFL Network's Keep Gym in School initiative. Part of the NFL PLaY 60 youth health and fitness campaign, Keep Gym in School is the NFL Network's program to boost fitness and physical education in America's middle schools.

After the ceremony, Nnamdi Asomugha led students through fitness tests and football-inspired drills during an on-field minicamp. As National spokesperson for Keep Gym in School, Asomugha has been speaking out through Public Service Announcements and at special events at schools about the importance of physical activity to sustain a healthy lifestyle.

“I am honored to support NFL Network's Keep Gym in School Program because I believe that physical education is an essential component of a complete education,” Asomugha said. “PE courses educate children on the benefits of an active lifestyle and the importance of team work and perseverance; skills which have contributed greatly to my own personal career and life successes.”

On their lone off-day of the week, Asomugha and his mates took to the practice field and led students through a “minicamp” that featured fitness tests and football-inspired drills. Yet, the day wasn't all about football: the school used part of the funding to purchase 20 cardio bikes and equipment including jump ropes, cones and basketballs and to institute a Fitness for Life curriculum for the teachers.

Students from Roosevelt Middle School also will participate in the Keep Gym in School NFL Play 60 Challenge, an in-school fitness program developed in conjunction with the National Association for Sports and Physical Education.

One motivated student who shows the most fitness improvement over the next six months will even earn a trip to New York City to attend the program's national honors event during the upcoming 2011 NFL Draft.