Kindness Videos Kick Off Nationwide School Initiative Before Super Bowl

Kindland partners with NFL Foundation and Pro Football Hall of Fame to inspire students to lead with compassion and empathy.

Feb. 5, 2026 at 6:23pm

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Kindland, a non-profit organization, is launching its "Kickoff for Kindness" video presentation to over 1,400 schools and 543,000 students across the country on February 5th, just before Super Bowl weekend. The inspiring 30-minute video features stories of kindness from NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame players, including Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, and a winning student-created video that earned its creator a trip to the Super Bowl.

Why it matters

The Kickoff for Kindness program aims to encourage students to lead with compassion, empathy and kindness in their own lives, inspired by the positive examples set by professional athletes. In an era when kindness and community connection are needed more than ever, this initiative seeks to strengthen bonds and spread positivity nationwide.

The details

The Kickoff for Kindness video presentation is provided free to schools, who can show it on February 5th to fit their schedules. It includes stories of kindness from NFL and Pro Football Hall of Fame players, as well as a winning student-created video that earned its 12-19 year old creator, Nicholas Keplinger of Fall Branch, TN, two tickets to the Super Bowl courtesy of the NFL Foundation. Kindland also launched a nationwide "Kindness Games" competition, challenging schools to post the most acts of kindness from February 6 - April 24, as part of their broader "United States of Kindness" initiative.

  • The Kickoff for Kindness video presentation will be shown in schools across the country on February 5, 2026.
  • The Kindness Games competition will run from February 6 - April 24, 2026.

The players

Kindland

A national initiative of the Values-in-Action Foundation, a non-profit organization that has been spreading positivity and kindness for 32 years, reaching over 2.6 million students in all 50 states.

NFL Foundation

The philanthropic arm of the National Football League that supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football and the communities which professional football clubs serve.

Pro Football Hall of Fame

A museum and hall of fame located in Canton, Ohio that honors professional football players, coaches, administrators, and contributors.

Damar Hamlin

A safety for the Buffalo Bills who suffered a cardiac arrest on the field in 2021 and has since recovered, now on a mission to inspire others with his story of kindness and character.

Nicholas Keplinger

A 12-19 year old student from Fall Branch, Tennessee who won the Kickoff for Kindness video contest, earning him two tickets to the Super Bowl.

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What they’re saying

“Hearing these inspiring stories motivates the kids to think about the importance of kindness in their own lives. All schools are encouraged to show the video on February 5 so that students feel united in working toward one common goal - treating one another with kindness, caring and respect.”

— Stuart Muszynski, CEO and Founder of Values-in-Action Foundation

What’s next

The Kindness Games competition will run from February 6 - April 24, 2026, challenging schools to post the most acts of kindness during that time period.

The takeaway

This initiative by Kindland, supported by the NFL Foundation and Pro Football Hall of Fame, demonstrates the power of using inspirational stories and friendly competition to encourage students across the country to embrace kindness, empathy and community connection - values that can have a lasting positive impact.