A warm welcome for Bears linebacker at Gurnee school

Students cheered when grinning Chicago Bears linebacker Sam Acho entered the gym Tuesday during a visit to Woodland Intermediate School.

Acho came to the Gurnee school to thank the fourth- and fifth-graders for raising $26,000 for Football for Heart last year.

"We got our name put in a drawing with other schools for a Bears player visit. Our school won. The kids are excited," said physical education teacher Roger Lass. "It takes a lot of effort. The kids really worked hard. It takes a lot to collect $26,000."

As part of the effort, the school taught a football unit that involved football activities while learning about heart disease, the importance of physical activity, and eating right.

Acho entertained the crowd as he discussed the importance of listening and learning in school and staying healthy. Later, he answered questions about the team from excited students.

"It is unbelievable. It's cool to see kids being part of something so special," Acho said when discussing the excitement of the students who greeted him. "I enjoy the opportunity of being able to see smiling faces. I am a kid at heart."

The Chicago Bears joined with the American Heart Association to create Football for Heart, a program that focuses on raising money for the American Heart Association.

The program also has a secondary purpose of educating students about the importance of heart health, physical activity and good nutrition.