WELCOME
A Message from PFATS President Bryan Engel
For over 60 years there has been a group of Certified Athletic Trainers in the National Football League that have collaborated in the area of player health and safety.
Originally known as the National Football League Athletic Trainers Society (NFLATS), they would share their knowledge of injury identification, treatment and rehabilitation. In 1982 the name was changed to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). PFATS is dedicated to the welfare of our members and committed to the promotion and advancement of athletic training through education and research. Giving back to the profession of Athletic Training, along with an overall desire for philanthropy, is at the heart of PFATS working to make a difference. In conjunction with the NFL Foundation, PFATS awards 32 Ethnic Minority scholarships and 32 Female Athletic training scholarships annually.
PFATS’ purpose is to ensure the highest quality of health care is provided to the National Football League. We work closely with the NFL Physician Society (NFLPS), National Football League (NFL), and the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) to improve player health and safety through continuous research, education and innovation.
Today, PFATS has a diverse membership that consists of over 170 members. Comprised primarily of Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC), many of the members have advanced degrees, specialty certifications and many with dual credentials.
Along with our Founding partner Gatorade, our website provides a landing location for those looking for information about our profession, our society, our members, scholarship programs, internship opportunities, educational seminars and our charitable involvement in our communities. PFATS, along with the PFATS Foundation, will utilize the website to provide our profession and members with important information and updates.
“PFATS cares to make a difference”
“Flea”
Bryan E. Engel, ATC
PFATS President
Director of Sports Medicine / Head Athletic Trainer
Green Bay Packers
OUR MISSION
The Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) is a Professional Association representing the athletic trainers of the National Football League. We serve the players of the NFL, the member Clubs, and other members of the community. Our purpose is to ensure the highest quality of health care is provided to the National Football League. We are dedicated to the welfare of our members and committed to the promotion and advancement of athletic training through education and research. The Society is founded on the professional integrity and the ethical standards of our members and the fellowship that exists among us.
"PFATS cares to make a difference"
OUR HISTORY
In the early 1960's, a small group of NFL athletic trainers saw an opportunity to share knowledge and techniques on injury prevention and rehabilitation while attending the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA) Annual Meeting and Clinical Symposium. In subsequent years they formed initially as the National Football League Athletic Trainers Society (NFLATS). In 1982, NFLATS was officially renamed to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). PFATS adopted a comprehensive constitution and has since grown to a membership of over 158 NFL athletic trainers nationwide. Today, membership is limited to those professionally certified in accordance with the most current NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement and who are employed full-time as athletic trainers by any of the 32 NFL franchises.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Voted on by membership, the PFATS Executive Committee acts in the best interest of all members by providing organizational direction, fulfilling the strategic planning goals and executing decision-making according to the mission, vision and values of PFATS.
OUR PARTNERS
Our PFATS Partners are at the core of our organization. We value our relationships and collaboration to provide our membership with the most up-to-date technology and resources to advance our profession.
STRATEGIC ALLIANCES
PFATS is proud to have strategic alliances with important organizations in the sports medicine industry such as the NFL, NFLPS, NATA, GSSI, USA Football and the Korey Stringer Institute. These alliances allow us to reach a broader audience and achieve success by learning from each other.