Our Story

Connor McGovern, Champion for able™

From a small-town North Dakota boy to a prominent NFL player, Connor McGovern, New Yorks Jets Center and Fargo Native’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. His involvement with TNT Kid’s Fitness & able™ is a testament to his commitment to giving back to the community.

Connor’s connection with TNT & able™ began when Kim Pladson, TNT President and CEO reached out to him. Kim is a long time family friend of both Connor’s parents and his aunt and uncle. TNT is a unique gymnastics and fitness center supporting children of all abilities to unlock potential through movement.

Physical activity and competition has always been a defining element of Connor’s life, and he felt a profound desire to extend this opportunity to a broader demographic.

“I couldn’t imagine a life without physical activity, so I want to make sure everybody has that opportunity,” said Connor. “The thrill of competing, working tirelessly toward a goal, and ultimately achieving it is an experience like no other.”

One of Connor’s motivation to make a difference in this space was further fueled by a personal connection with his college teammate, Mitch Morris, Buffalo Bills Center. Mitch’s brother is involved with the Special Olympics of Missouri. Connor attended a Special Olympics weightlifting competition there and witnessed an awe-inspiring moment that left an mark on him, a non-verbal participant bench-pressing an astounding 315 pounds. This encounter changed the course of his life, compelling him to delve deeper into giving others similar opportunities.

Kim first introduced TNT’s special needs competition to Connor. It was through that conversation that initiated the concept of the able™ Games, a functional fitness competition for all abilities. This event sparked interest from the local public schools asking if TNT could develop a physical education class to allow for this opportunity year round.

The able™ Games continues to experience rapid growth, with an additional initiative known as able™ in School making its way into schools. Several schools in North Dakota have adopted this program, which operates as a physical education credit. It pairs students with special needs and their peers in an inclusive peer to peer workouts. Many of these students then go on to compete in the able™ Games.

Part of the eco-system to be expanded is able™ in Work. This initiative demonstrating how individuals with special needs can excel and experience a profound sense of accomplishment in the workplace. Just like anyone else, they aspire to make a positive impact on society. If you know of a business looking to learn more, please reach out to [email protected].

One of the most heartwarming aspects of children of all abilities being able to participate is the joy experienced by parents as they witness their child, who may have never had such opportunities before.

Connor and Kim’s vision extends beyond the Midwest, as they actively work to bring the able™ Games and able™ in School to the East Coast and beyond. The goal is to make able™ accessible to as many individuals and schools as possible, emphasizing empowerment and inclusion. Their evolving website serves as a valuable resource for connecting with their efforts and making a positive impact on more lives.

Connor McGovern is not just an NFL football star; he’s a champion for inclusivity and empowerment, leaving a mark on his hometown, state, and throughout the country

“I don’t want to just be a football player. I want to impact people’s lives for the positive.”