Learn about the application process here! By continuing to use this website, you agree to allow cookies. By David Stricklin MS, LAT, ATC, Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Seattle Seahawks. In the early 70s, Pinky dreamed of an endowed NATA scholarship, and now there are dozens. To think, I look back at âcomputer, arthroscopy and MRIâ as the major advancements in my time. Athletic Trainers work with medical professionals, coaches and athletes to ensure that players are ready to play, maintain proper diets, and receive proper treatment in the event of illness or injury. Learn more about the National Basketball Athletic Trainers Association. List of current National Football League staffs. In the midst of an unprecedented offseason, Kansas City Chiefs Vice President of Sports and Performance Rick Burkholder engaged in several conversations... Ronnie Barnes, senior vice president of medical services/head athletic trainer, is revered and respected at 1925 Giants Drive and across the National Football... Last week during the NFL scouting combine, the guy who once drove every golf cart and mini tractor he could get his hands on from the Paul Brown Stadium... Last week, Rams Senior Director of Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott spoke during a panel conversation at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine... Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, Rick Burkholder Leads Chiefs' Efforts to Combat COVID-19, Trailblazing Trainer Ronnie Barnesâ Next Challenge is Giants Coronavirus Safety, Bengals' Sparling: From Laundry Boy To NFL Athletic Trainer Of The Year, Senior Director of Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott sworn in as PFATS president. Only two current NFL head athletic trainers, the Giants' Ronnie Barnes and the Broncos' Steve Antonopulos, started before '78 when they arrived in the league two years earlier. Maybe itâs a small thing, but it is attention to detail and it catches my eye. None of those people on the sidelines can walk out into the middle of the field during a game, and you and I can. 212 . While women are slowly making their way into professional sports, men greatly outnumber them in the workplace. I think there is an inherent ego that comes with the glitzy jobs, whether they are in with a big-time college, professional team or the Olympics. New football athletic trainer careers are added daily on SimplyHired.com. I am not a proponent of the 1-page résumé. According to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society, the professional organization NFL athletic trainers, there are more than 100 certified trainers employed by the league. You never grow tired of walking out of the stadium tunnel, listening to the home-field introductions and the national anthem being played. I love being relevant and included as a part of the locker room. âThe accomplishment of these three athletic trainers leading up to the NFLâs biggest game is a testament to their commitment to player health, safety and well-being,â said National Athletic Trainersâ Association President Tory Lindley, MA, ATC. Dominic retired after the 1992 season, and I joined the Green Bay Packers January 1, 1993. Over the years, Iâve learned that it is never done. Bob and I had met in 1972 when I was considering attending Boston College, where he was employed as the youngest Head AT in Division 1 football. There is something to be said for the NFL â the travel, resources, budget, glitz and glamour â and I believe it can become addicting. I struggle with the politics of dealing with all that comes from an entourage of agents, medical consultants and caregivers who advise and direct the players beyond our concerted efforts. How long have you worked in this setting? The low-stress way to find your next football athletic trainer job opportunity is on SimplyHired. 1415 Harney Street, Suite 200, Omaha, NE 68102. He called me in early 1992 and asked me if I would be interested in becoming the Head AT of the Green Bay Packers after the late Dominic Gentile retired. I trace my career path to the choice to move from New York state to attend Purdue University under the legendary NATA Hall of Famer, William âPinkyâ Newell. Athletic trainers should not be confused with fitness trainers and instructors, which include personal trainers. For a potential employer to know a reference by name and reputation puts some âoomphâ to their recommendation. PFATS offers Scholarships through both the National Athletic Trainers Association and NFL Foundation. Take the time to put a name and handshake with a face. Athletic trainers are also the first medical personnel on the field when a player is injured. Build an impressive résumé and network with people in your chosen field. Our Raiders, Saints, Bears and Cowboys writers present their best trade offers for Russell Wilson and Michael-Shawn Dugar makes his pick. It is no longer âbusiness as usual.â Weâre looking to evidence based research to refine everything we do in, and about, the athletic training facility. Following the 2016 season, Maurer was named NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year by The NFL Physicians Society. Several of those were in the NFL, which I had my sights set on at a very early age. Undergraduate programs include coursework in life and health sciences such as nutrition, biomechanics, anatomy and physiology, and supervised clinical training. We cannot eliminate injuries. We could work 24/7, and weâd never get everything done because healthcare is never done. Its mission is to provide excellence in the medical and surgical care of the athletes in the National Football League and to provide direction and support for the athletic trainers in charge of the care for these athletes. Several months later, I decided this was the right decision for my family. The NFL Physicians Society was founded in 1966. There are many bright, highly educated students, but so many of the résumés look exactly the same. You have to seek people who can advise you how to best accomplish that. It is not by having the fanciest paper with the designer font. It wasnât until last season, after 37 years in the league, that I realized something. As I was leaving high school in 1972, a chance encounter made me aware of the many Purdue graduates with influential athletic training jobs all across the country. I spent 16 seasons with the New York Jets as an Assistant AT. Kansas City Chiefs assistant trainer Tiffany Morton, the first woman trainer in the NFL, talks about her job, breaking barriers and her advice for others. Athletic trainers are health care workers who diagnose and treat those who have sustained injuries to their muscles and bones. This staff has been together since 2012 and the Cowboys also won this same award in 2002. It makes for an exciting time, and future, as the technological growth advances our techniques, overall attitudes and initiatives. Women could become athletic trainers for the NFL. Concussion The CDC estimates 1.6-3.8 million concussions occur in sports and recreational activities annually. Game day is undoubtedly the âglitz and glimmerâ of the NFL. I wrote back that I was coming. PFATS in the News. Some of the teams give preference and geographic loyalty to in-state institutions, whereas some offer opportunities to those from around the country. Technological advances become tangible through diagnostics, enhanced MRI and digital X-ray systems (now retrievable on the sideline), concussion and helmet studies, foot/ankle/turf interface advancements, computer enhanced modalities, infectious disease control, rehabilitation techniques, injury statistical/video analysis, bracing and protective gear enhancements, electronic health records (EHRs), telemedicine diagnostics and more. Jump to navigation Jump to search This article is a list of current ... Head athletic trainer â Andre Tucker; More NFL staffs. You will need at least a bachelor's degree in athletic training from a program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education to meet licensing requirements. See salaries, compare reviews, easily apply, and get hired. Sometimes you fail to realize how good you have it; Iâve been very, very, very fortunate. Athletic trainers in the field of spectator sports earn an annual mean wage of $56,180, but this can also vary based on team and location. It becomes evident athletic medicine is no longer just local, it is national and international. He was excited to welcome the first female member of the NATA, and now women are our majority. An athletic trainer is a health care specialist that focuses on prevention of injury and rehab to recuperate athletes (Summary). Just take the time to construct your letter and résumé in such a way it has a better-than-average chance to move from the big pile to the small pile. Just like other NFL team employees, athletic trainers are hired and paid based on the rules outlined in the league collective bargaining agreement. Provides matching funds for NFL Clubs to help support and activate in the youth and high school football communities in their local markets and at national events like NFL Flag Championships. As Sonia Gysland, recent Steelers hire, recalls, she only recognized herself as a minority when she was the only woman out of 150 Athletic Trainers in attendance at an NFL combine in ⦠The NFL Foundation, the National Athletic Trainersâ Association (NATA), Gatorade and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) today announced the winners of the Athletic Trainer Initiative, a national grant contest to expand access to athletic trainers in underserved high schools and improve youth athlete safety. I would say another thing that I find challenging is the vast corporate world of the NFL. NATA and the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) have been key partners in the effort. Students and young ATs need to understand there is mega competition for the glitzy jobs. Wages typically start from $31,443 and go up to $75,309.. 22 % below national average Updated in 2019 The athletic training staff is only one component to the success of an NFL team, but it is a major part of helping athletes achieve maximum production from their bodies and ultimately keeping them on the field. Itâs a serious commitment. With the typical hours an Athletic Trainer works, it takes a concerted effort to maintain some normalcy to family/home and leisure life. Little mistakes can also make a big difference in the review of a cover letter and résumé. The addition, called the Conditioning, Rehabilitation and Instructional Center (CRIC), is a valued adjunct to our strength and conditioning program and to our rehabilitation regimes. These medical professionals specialize in the prevention, diagnosis, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of muscle and bone injuries and illnesses -- according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) -- and are recognized by ⦠His staff includes Britt Brown, the team's director of rehabilitation, along with associate trainers Greg Gaither and Hanson Yang. The daily duties for an athletic trainer, as well as the hours they work, make the job difficult mentally and physically. My preference is that the résumé not be in a tiny font to make it all fit on a page. There is not a typical day as each has its varied challenges depending the time of year, intensity of the week and a never-ending administrative load. Feb 25. "The NFL is committed to enhancing the safety of football at all levels," said NFL Commissioner ROGER GOODELL. Read More. In 2015, he was a member of a Rams athletic training staff that won PFATS' Ed Block NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year Award, which is voted on by the PFATS membership and recognizes one NFL athletic training staff annually for their distinguished service to their club, community, and athletic training profession. PFATS offers Scholarships through both the National Athletic Trainers Association and NFL Foundation. Iâve said this a thousand times; my least favorite part of the job is the grind of the hours. It was 800 miles from my New York state hometown to Purdue University. Learn about the application process here! You can never have enough storage space, but weâve been very fortunate to have an attached 2-level stock/work room that accommodates all of our supplies as well as our array of travel trunks, last but not least, an ice machine/cooler storage room. After Purdue, I chose to attend Northwestern University Medical School to receive my second bachelorâs degree in physical therapy. They also teach others how to prevent injuries. NFL Combine Professional Athletes Go Adult Training Boot Camp D1-on-1 Family Strength Go. National initiatives, by the likes of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and multiple professional sports leagues, make us more introspective about how we go about our business. Our athletic training facility was recently renovated, and we have only been in it since July. Athletic trainers earn an average yearly salary of $48,662. I trace my career path to the choice to move from New York state to attend Purdue University under the legendary NATA Hall of Famer, William âPinkyâ Newell. AFC East BUF MIA NE NYJ North BAL CIN CLE PIT South HOU IND JAX TEN West DEN KC LV ⦠Game days are special. I spent the last 23 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the first 16 with the New York Jets. 65 Football Athletic Trainer jobs available on Indeed.com. It is that time of year. The demand for athletic trainers in 2017 is increasing significantly as participation in sports at all levels continues to grow. Itâs just an honor to be a part of it. I tried to never turn down an opportunity to build my résumé through volunteering, taking an additional class or seeking insightful experiences. Pick Your Team. I was able to build and develop the skill set that helped shape me for the profession and the career I sought. You cannot afford to be short-sighted about networking, meeting other students, competitors and show exhibitors. Providing specialized support to the NBA for over 20 years. He asked if I wanted to be the Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Jets. For anyone who has ever been in a fraternal group â like with the military, police, firefighters or various teams â there is nothing compared to the relationships you build in the locker room. I spent the last 23 seasons with the Green Bay Packers and the first 16 with the New York Jets. It includes an expanded treatment area, functional rehabilitation area, recovery room, examination rooms, GE iDXA body scan room, digital X-ray room, 4 Athletic Trainer offices, conference room, hydrotherapy room with 2 walk-in hot tubs and a walk-in 4 x 16 cold tub, and a SwimEx rehabilitation pool - all surrounded by 11-foot tall walls of glass. There are two types of master's programs for athletic trainers: entry-level and post-profe⦠They are past presidents, executive directors and employed in many male-dominated sports. Many athletic training students across the nation will start the process of building a cover letter and tweaking résumés, getting them ready to be shipped off to several, if not all 32 teams, in hopes of earning a summer or seasonal athletic training internship in the NFL. In 2013, we were fortunate to have an addition to our building that houses a 10,000-square-foot weight room and an adjacent regulation width indoor 35-yard in-filled field. There is not a player who retires from the game who says they miss lifting weights, being sore and getting beat up. PFATS would like to thank our 2021 Partners for their ongoing support of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers' Society. Every year, we receive piles of résumés from students and professionals who are applying to be a summer or seasonal intern. I think a goal for a young AT should be to make their résumé likely to move from the big pile to the small pile. Erik Arve, a 2020 graduate of OSU Center for Health Sciences masterâs in Athletic Training program, said working as a seasonal athletic trainer for the NFLâs New Orleans Saints is an engaging challenge. Packers Equipment Manager Gordon âRedâ Batty and I were out on the field during a timeout, when he said to me, âPepper, think about this. Certainly you canât understate the need to network. Club Matching Athletic Trainer Grant. Athletic trainers plan athletic programs that are compliant with federal and state regulations; for example, they may ensure a football program adheres to laws related to athlete concussions. Apply to Personal Trainer, Fellow and more! Jim Maurer, who has been the Cowboys' head trainer since 1997, won the Fain-Cain Memorial Award as the outstanding NFL athletic trainer of the year. With that, I decided I needed to be mentored by the best; after all, Pinky was known to have the most high profile job opportunities come across his desk. With the exponential pace of technological advancements, the athletic training world rides along. I understand that void with emails, but not taking the time to sign a hardcopy is a mistake. However, athletic trainers can work everywhere from college campuses to medical offices, so NFL salaries may vary. If your hobbies, interests and voluntary efforts could move your résumé from the big pile to the small pile, isnât that worth an additional page? The more important the game, the bigger the âhighâ is of a win â or the lower the âlowâ of a loss. In 1991, the Jets Director of Player Personnel, Ron Wolf (2015 NFL Hall of Fame inductee) became the general manager of the Green Bay Packers. Many of these folks have nothing more than a business relationship with the player, yet, in season, we spend more waking hours with them than we do our own families. Itâs a super rush if there is a military fly-over! They always say, âIâm going to miss the locker room.â You canât help but appreciate the people and relationships. 2020 Athletic Training alumnus Erik Arve, who now works as a seasonal athletic trainer for the NFLâs New Orleans Saints. Donât set your sights on attaining âaverage.â That just means you are better than some folks, but a batch of folks are better than you. While there is still a vast amount of knowledge to be gained from concussions, leading Read More. What will be your âcomputer, arthroscopy and MRIâ to look back on and say, âWow, how far have we come and how far will we go?â. My typical day is the same as most any full-time AT working the âdaily grind.â We come in when itâs dark, and we leave when itâs dark. Such initiatives address concussion care (as with the Zack Lystedt Law), acute spine injury protocol reviews and DEA enforcement of controlled medications with athletic teams. This is my 39 th season in the National Football League (NFL). Sadly, athletic training is not a 9-to-5 job. Learn more about the PFATS Scholarship Program. Athletic Trainers contribute significantly to making football safer, but it is inherently a collision sport. Currently there are no women employed in the NFL although one woman used to work for the Pittsburgh Steelers (Mihoces). What advice do you have about your practice setting for a young AT looking at this setting? T. Pepper Burruss is the Director of Sports Medicine Administration and Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist for the Green Bay Packers. Proofread your letter and make sure you have the correct information included. I choose not to take any credit. I started my career by choosing a school that featured a pioneer in the athletic training field. Learn about the requirements and career information below. There is no better place to network than your local, state, district and national NATA meetings. People say to me, âKeep âem healthy.â I respond, âThatâs Godâs work; I just do the helpinâ.â If we are going to take credit for a team being healthy, we better be ready to assume credit when they are not. Keep in mind, this is my home state and âmyâ team growing up. We get letters via surface mail that have not been signed. Those who passionately embrace it succeed. I firmly believe all ATs feel an unceasing commitment to try to get the job done every day. Then, eight weeks prior to my graduation from Northwestern, I received a call from Bob Reese, the new Head AT of the New York Jets and 1970 Purdue alumni. If you are going to take credit for the good, you better take credit for the bad too. Résumé references are important and especially good if they happen to be known to the staff you are applying to for a position or internship. Read a message from PFATS President and Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Los Angeles Rams Reggie Scott. The pressure on the players gives rise to a challenge of balancing the many outside influences their personal medical advisors bring to the table in relation to the care rendered in our facility. The ultimate transgression is a mismanaged mail merge that combines a staff memberâs name with the wrong team name. Choose the best school that fits your circumstances. How fortunate are we?â I had never thought of it that way before. However, these figures vastly underestimate the total, as many individuals do not seek medical advice. Every Body Needs Training We Have Worked With: 100+ NFL Draft Picks 1,000+ Professional Athletes 3,000+ Collegiate Athletes 100,000+ Scholastics Per Year 2,000,000+ People Overall Results-Driven Athletic ⦠Years later Pinky confided that my decision to make the trek showed I was determined and willing to put my money where my mouth was. Lastly, donât set you goals too low; you are liable to reach them! There are over 61 football athletic trainer careers waiting for you to apply! The assistant coach, video staff, security or ball boys cannot venture out into the middle of the field. There are 32 teams in the NFL and each employs a handful of athletic trainers. Their patients are usually athletes, but others might seek treatment as well.An athletic trainer works under the direction of ⦠It falls under the moniker of nothing compares to game day. I wasnât quick to jump at the offer, as the Packers had been through a rough stretch of 25 years of mediocrity. Athletic trainers typically need to meet a combination of education and professional licensure to qualify for this career. Theyâre electric. A team-by-team guide of all members of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society. Pinky wrote to me (I think I still have the hand written letter) that it was an awful long way for an out-of-state student, and he couldnât guarantee me a spot in the athletic training facility. These trainers work with professional athletes to help them stay in top shape on the field and prevent injuries. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Provides Matching funds for NFL Clubs to expand access to athletic trainers within their markets. Children's Hospital & Medical Center Sports Medicine Program, Minnesota State University Mankato Athletic Training Program, University of Nebraska Omaha Athletic Training Program. This is my 39th season in the National Football League (NFL). Realize the classmate or AT intern you sat next to in a lecture hall may one day be in a position to recommend, or even hire you, for a job.