Penn State football player Kevin Kelly placed his pads over the shoulders of a child this afternoon at the Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, dwarfing the boy whose face broke into a large grin.

Kicker Kelly was one of many athletes who participated in Athlete Hour at Thon in the Bryce Jordan Center, which allowed Thon children and their families to interact with the players.

Athletes from the football team, women's soccer and field hockey teams, and men's ice hockey and wrestling teams were some that came out to support the kids.

Kelly spent an hour talking with parents and signing autographs. Other members of the football team gathered together to take photos with kids who were waiting eagerly in line.

Throughout the South Annex, games were set up for the teams to interact with the kids. As Twister was played in one corner, members of the cheerleading team helped kids put together autograph books.

Danielle Toney, forward for the women's soccer team, said this year is her first Thon, and she's excited to be able to spend time with the kids.

"Now that I'm a part of Penn State, it's so cool to be here," she said.