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OUR HISTORY

PFATS prides itself in our rich history of commitment and dedication to the profession of athletic training and providing for the athletes we serve.

2021

PFATS currently has a membership of 161 NFL athletic trainers nationwide. 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.

2020

PFATS Foundation branded - a new logo and social channels.

2015

PFATS and the NFL Foundation established the PFATS and NFL Foundation Female Athletic Training Student Scholarship. This program awards 32 scholarships at $1000 per award - totaling $32,000. In addition to receiving a financial grant, each student selected will have the opportunity to work at an NFL summer training camp.

1993

PFATS and the NFL Foundation began working together to sponsor the PFATS and NFL Foundation Ethnic Minority Scholarship Program. The program awards 32 scholarships at $1000 per award. In addition to receiving a financial grant, each student selected will have the opportunity to work at an NFL summer training camp.

1982

NFLATS was officially renamed to the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS)

1960's

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. From this formed the National Football League Athletic Trainers Society (NFLATS).

Professional Football Athletic Trainers in the National Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame

Edward R. Abramoski (1986)

George C. Anderson (1986)

Ronnie Barnes (1999)

Edward Block (1974)

Rick Burkholder (2023)

Otho L. Davis (1981)

Kent P. Falb (1999)

Thomas E. Healion (1981)

Dean L. Kleinschmidt (1994)

Kenneth W. Locker (2002)

J. Lindsey McLean (1988)

Leo F. Murphy (1982)

Jerry C. Rhea (1985)

Wayne C. Rudy (1974)

Bill Tessendorf (2012)

Jay Shoop (2012) 

James P. Whitesel (1998)

Warren C. Ariail, Jr. (1977)

Cash D. Birdwell (1990)

Robert K. "Bobby" Brown (1980)

G.E. "Moose" Detty (1994)

Larry Gardner (1989)

Robert H. Gunn (1975)

Carl "Bud" Jorgensen (1968)

Lincoln Tamotsu Kimura (1974)

Robert J. Moore (2003)

John "Jack" Rackwell (1977)

Henry F. Schmidt, Sr. (1964)