Students, some with face paint and waving Ravens signs, screamed on command and stood on their feet. The Glen Burnie High School band and cheerleaders performed. The Ravens cheerleaders showed their moves.
Superintendent Kevin M. Maxwell told students that physical education "enhances and supports" core subjects.
"It helps you think and reason in your other subjects," said Maxwell, who added that despite recent budget cuts, physical education classes have not been cut at any of the county's 121 schools.
O'Malley, who predicted a Ravens victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday, called physical education in school "critically important.
"That's what makes a child whole and able to grow to their fullest potential," said O'Malley, who said he tries to make it to the gym every day.
Ravens tight end Edgar Jones and defensive lineman Brandon McKinney also ran drills with the students, along with Jamie Dukes, a former NFL offensive guard who is now an analyst on the NFL Network.
Sam Frank, a seventh-grader who likes to play soccer, said some of his relatives are "not the skinniest," so he has always been encouraged to "eat good."
"If I ask for a snack, my dad says, 'You can have a piece of bread or a fruit,' " said Sam, 12. "Those are both healthy. He lets us have ice cream. He gives us some. But not three bowlfuls."
Jazmine Jackson said it can be tough to make healthy food choices in the school cafeteria. Jazmine, a seventh-grader, said many students choose to eat the "greasy" pizza, french fries and nachos.
"Even though it's not the easiest thing to do, thinking about eating healthy and exercising, you have to," said Jazmine, 12.
