The National Football League has long tried to influence kids to stay active. The latest campaign is Play60, encouraging children to devote an hour each day to physical activity.

One of their youth programs, the Punt, Pass & Kick competition, found its way to Iowa State University, albeit with a few tweaks.

For one, it is a VEISHEA tournament and not sponsored by the NFL. Also, the two kicking competitions were trimmed to one, eliminating the field goal attempt and replacing it with a 40-yard run.

Hence, the inaugural Punt, Pass and Run competition took place Sunday and Monday during flag football at the Bergstrom Indoor Practice Facility.

“I think I did better than the other guys,” boasted sophomore Ben Perna, who played football in high school, mostly on the defensive side of the ball. “I came out here and didn’t really practice, though. It’s just something to do other than studying.”

Competitors had two attempts at the run and three apiece at the throw and the punt. The fastest run, longest throw and longest punt were taken. Organizer Blake Woebbeking said punts and throws were averaging around the 40-yard mark, with some throws as far as 50 yards, but noted the 40-yard dash times were surprising.

“I kinda expected faster times than 5.3 [seconds],” Woebbeking said. “I think we’ll see faster times later in the competition as guys that aren’t in flag football compete.”

Competitors had to wait on Sunday to attempt the punts, as three games of flag football were played on the surface of the Bergstrom facility.

Even slight controversy struck the humble competition as Perna sent his first kick soaring into the air. As it neared the turf below, a flag football competitor attempted to catch it and touched it before it hit the ground, unaware of the fact that the competition was going on.

Organizers gave Perna a freebie on that one.

“I think he saved me a little bit. I don’t think it was that good of a kick, but I think he helped me out by giving me another one,” Perna admitted. “I had never punted before, so I had no idea what I was doing.”

The Steve Bartman-esque misplay did end up affecting the overall standings, as Perna placed second in the competition. Colton Lindemann captured highest honors while Thad Satre rounded out the top three.