There's a lot of communication between departments with strength and conditioning to see if they need to change any lifting protocols for the players. Having spent 20 years with Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid, including 14 in Philadelphia as Reid held the same position with the Eagles (1999-2012), Burkholder became well known for his expertise in his rehabilitation programs. Then through my time in athletic training as a whole, there have been countless people who have made me a better person and athletic trainer. Please enter a valid email and try again. And sometimes I get it wrong. I had a few elective hours that I needed to fill and asked if I could fill them with a shadowing opportunity with the athletic training department. Kansas City Chiefs VP of Sports Medicine and Performance, Rick Burkholder, was named the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) Fain-Cain Memorial Award Oustanding Athletic Trainer of the Year at the NFLPS annual award ceremony on Wednesday evening. Explaining graupel: A more uncommon type of wintry precipitation. Heres everything you need to know about The Grinch sequel, plus the best books your kid can check out now. The browser you are using is no longer supported on this site. A pair of the Kansas City Chiefs athletic training staff was recently highlighted on NFL Network as part of their Womens History Month coverage. We each have our own position group that we work with. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. On Feb. 19, 2014, Burkholder received one of the highest honors in his profession as he was elected to a three-year term as President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS),which serves the players of the NFL, the member clubs and other members of the community, while ensuring the highest quality of health care provided to the NFL. Original Content Editor, Talent Development. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. On Wednesday morning, the Kansas City Chiefs had some practice & injury updates as Sunday's Super Bowl . The athletic training staff for the Chiefs has had their work cut out for them, but with many of the staff hailing from Central Pennsylvania, they're up for it. They understand they have a long way to go, but they also know how important it is to raise awareness of the need for athletic trainers at every event across the country. In 2020, the plan, which was implemented on a daily basis under Burkholder's watch, was the first among all clubs to be reviewed and approved by the NFL, the NFLPA and jointly appointed infectious disease experts. She probably has more education than probably anybody in the building. Athletic trainers are health care professionals by trade, and the point Burkholder, Craft, and many others advocating this point are making is that it shouldn't take a situation in which people realize they should have had an athletic trainer present to jumpstart the process of making sure everyone has one there in the first place. Wednesdays and Thursdays are our longer days, which are about 12 hours, and Fridays are what we call "Fast Fridays" because we cut out the walk-throughs. In back to back years, Burkholder received prestigious awards for his work in the field, earning the National Athletic Trainers' Association's Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (2016) and became just the second person and first athletic trainer to receive the NATA's President's Award, honoring his contribution to the profession (2017). What is the most challenging part of your job? It does take a couple of pioneers to make the first couple of steps, and then the rest of us keep pushing. ", Keeping Athletic Training greAT!!! Before that, he covered the Indiana Pacers at The Indianapolis Star for two years. Wow! We offer a variety of appointment types. On Wednesday, when we start getting into practice, we have player treatments at 7 a.m. and the players go into meetings shortly after that. JOSEPH, Mo. People want to talk to us and as hot as this team is right now, it gives you the break-the-ice moment to talk about athletic training. He also played a major role in Berry's return to the field in 2015 after battling Hodgkin's lymphoma. Terms at draftkings.com/sportsbook. Tiffany Morton working on the sideline of Arrowhead Stadium during a game against the Seahawks in August of 2016. To find out more about the Chiefs athletic training staff, watch the latest episode of The Franchise at the top of the page or on YouTube and head to the 11-minute mark. Michelle Odai is the current director of FUI's athletic training program. Then it dawned on me that I wasnt the right person to rehabilitate Travis Kelce, so I turned him over to David Glover and they sailed.. We arrive at the stadium five hours before kickoff to set up and make sure every player gets what they need -- or they think they need -- to perform. Meanwhile, two of the teams four players on injured reserve running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire and tight end Jody Fortson were designated to return, allowing them to practice with the team. So it kind of made sense when the medical field and sports began to blend together for me. Shes one of the first female (athletic trainers) to work in the National Football League. They don't allow me to be stressed when I miss certain get-togethers; they remind me that I'm living my dream and we figure out how to get together another time. I am extremely grateful to them and the FIU program. During the latest episode of The Franchise the Chiefs took some time to profile their athletic training staff and explain their role in keeping players healthy and upright throughout a long and grueling NFL season. Young, little Tiffany -- who just wanted to get an opportunity in the league -- didn't ever take no for an answer. While we should credit the personnel and coaching departments for having these players and helping them become contributors the teams training and medical staff deserves recognition for these two players being available for the postseason. Chiefs head athletic trainer Rick Burkholder said he knew the people who taught Morton and was told to keep an eye on her. It's about being together when we can. I think it's the work-life balance. I do a lot with hydration to make sure the players, especially rookies and new guys to our team, are ready for the August heat and an Andy Reid training camp because it can get pretty intense. In this installment of the Next Woman Up series, Packers VP of marketing and fan engagement Gabrielle Valdez Dow discusses stewarding the organization's historic legacy, prepping for the team's game in London and more. Other 2022 successes include: The NFL season is a daily grind that continues for more than four months. The Chiefs will begin camp July 22, a day in which the quarterbacks, rookies and veterans returning from injury will start a short series of truncated practices. Listen to player interviews. The last person I hired was Julie Frymyer. I'm quite honestly most proud of beating the odds already and sticking with it. Education: Pittsburgh (B.S. Author: fox43.com I came from a big football program going to school at Auburn, and I knew I wanted to be in that kind of space again in some capacity. On game days, there is a lot more happening behind the scenes for what we hope is a quiet day injury-wise on the field. Youll always hear credit being given to members of the training staff. (Steve Sanders/Chiefs). I don't know why that is, maybe because they have never dreamt big things or had a support system to encourage them to chase after them. #WomensHistoryMonth pic.twitter.com/FtmxXwpXKl. This made them feel inadequate, and ultimately, not like he was a part of the team. Also, when I got the full-time job with the Chiefs, there were five female athletic trainers in the league. They operate by the book and have welcomed me with open arms from the day I arrived. #NATM2019 pic.twitter.com/MtsfQwzgwl. Please check your email for a confirmation. He has. Those must be some long days. Burkholder presented the award to Glover, who has been with the Chiefs since 2012. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. If you do an internship in this field and it doesn't almost immediately click, then the NFL probably isn't the space for you. 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It's about being proactive and understanding the importance of having someone there who knows how to properly handle every situation that may arise, while also helping promote how these athletes can best take care of their bodies even before an injury as preventative maintenance is as big of a focus for their jobs as is handling injuries as they occur. Please check your email for a confirmation. We are tough early on with the guys in terms of preparation. Two members of the Kansas City Chiefs athletic training staff have earned recognition for their tireless work during the 2021 NFL season. Team meetings are another time for us to re-evaluate what happened during practice, so we can prep for the afternoon and give our guys the best information so they can get ready for the next day. In this installment of the Next Woman Up series, Arizona Cardinals director of security Kristi Johnson discusses her trailblazing law enforcement career, as well as how she builds trust with players and their families. Who are the women shaping and influencing the NFL today? Theres guys that may fight me on something, but they wont fight her just out of respect, Burkholder said. Having people who say "yes" to what you're trying to attain is so important, and I absolutely would not be here if not for those two ladies. https://chiefswire.usatoday.com/2023/01/16/kansas-city-chiefs-athletic-trainers-rick-burkholder-evan-craft-david-glover-tiffany-morton-julie-frymyer/, Remembering top combine performances from current Kansas City Chiefs players, Chiefs GM Brett Veach monitoring QB market, open to adjusting Patrick Mahomes contract, These 50 Chiefs players are under contract for 2023 NFL season, Updated look at Chiefs pending free agents for 2023. Who are analysts selecting for Chiefs at pick No. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. This week's Furry Friend is Brutus, the dog! This included a "Hit the Hill" day in which Evan Craftone of Burkholder's top assistant athletic trainers with the Chiefswent to the state capital in both Kansas and Missouri to help promote and discuss the importance of athletic trainers at the younger levels. I got up and left and thought, What am I going to do? Known as one of the top athletic trainers in the National Football League, Rick Burkholder enters his 10th season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and his fifth serving as the club's Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance. When Chiefs players have missed time with injuries, other players have stepped up. Kansas City continues to trend in a positive direction as the week of practice progresses. Kansas City Chiefs - Training Camp Intern Kansas City, MO, USA Req #154 Wednesday, February 23, 2022 PURPOSE: To provide hard-working, career-minded candidates with an internship opportunity to experience the work environment of an NFL Training Camp on the event operations side. Rick Burkholder (@proatc) March 1, 2022. Hes previously served as president of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS), an organization that handed out another award to a member of the Chiefs earlier this week. Sign up for the Chiefs Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. The following browsers are supported: Chrome, Edge (v80 and later), Firefox and Safari. I'm not sure it's surprising, but their humble attitudes and selflessness are refreshing, and a nice reminder for myself to be here for the team. Sign up for the Chiefs Wire newsletter to get our top stories in your inbox every morning. Burkholder is a certified athletic trainer and a member of the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Pennsylvania Athletic Trainers Society, in addition to his membership in PFATS. The teams overall health. It was a lot of timing -- of being in the right place at the right time after doing the right things. Before that, he covered the Indiana Pacers at The Indianapolis Star for two years. Without further ado, we introduce: How did you get your start in a career in football? Then walk-throughs and prepping for practice. You'll always hear credit being given to members of the training staff. It's very different from high school and collegiate settings, and that's partly what makes it so exciting to work at the highest level of sports. That's the innocence of being two years in the league. I was way off. It's funny because I think I'm a big dog, then I get over with the group and I'm a Chihuahua. Then, I hired Tiffany Morton. It's how I got into the NFL. There is so much to do from a sports medicine standpoint that no one person could handle all the work. Burkholder has been very proactive in sports medicine, emphasizing programs that prevent and combat dehydration, asthma and lower back injuries. Thank you to my amazing staff, my amazing docs and my family. Rick Burkholder. While the conversational Q&As are edited and condensed for clarity, this is a forum for impactful women to share experiences in their own words. When we get to late November or early December and know we have a playoff opportunity, we start to loosen up in all areas -- practices are a little bit shorter, pads come off and we have more room to help the players recover. Named after former Jets assistant athletic trainer Tim Davey (1969 to 1977), the award is handed out to those who represent an unyielding commitment, dedication and integrity in the profession of athletic training. Burkholder, along with many on his staff, has spent time this offseason and past offseasons working and advocating on behalf of athletic trainers at all levels. Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Biography Known as one of the top athletic trainers in the National Football League, Rick Burkholder enters his 10th season with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2022 and his fifth serving as the club's Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance. In this installment of the Next Woman Up series, Fouzia Madhouni discusses her organization We Can Morocco, which empowers women through American football, and her experience as a mentee of the NFL and Green Bay Packers. Burkholder first joined the Chiefs alongside Andy Reid in 2013 as head athletic trainer. I ended up really enjoying it and started seeking out athletic training opportunities in a graduate program at Florida International University, where I had great faculty and mentorship, and opportunities presented themselves after some hard work. Odds & lines subject to change. Please check your email for a confirmation. GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Wifi Policy. The Kansas City Chiefs are blessed to have an. To help ensure women were considered for all open athletic training positions on an even scale with men, the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society started a program in 2015 giving female athletic training students interested in pursuing a career in the NFL a special opportunity. Next Woman Up: Tiffany Morton, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Kansas City Chiefs Published: Sep 13, 2022 at 02:03 PM Brooke Cersosimo Original Content Editor, Talent Development Next. "There are some high school and college athletic trainers, I call them all the time. Yes, there are several. I forget how big they are sometimes. @EricSugarATC pic.twitter.com/mA0ZW2tbMC, Rick Burkholder (@proatc) March 3, 2022. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated. Morton said she only notices the lack of females in the NFL when she goes to conferences or schools to speak with women who aspire to do what she does. Tuesday, they have meetings but no practice, so it's another prep day for us to get ready for the rest of the week. Athletic Training/Trainer 2011 - 2013 Activities and Societies: Iota Tau Alpha, Alpha Kappa Chapter President 2012-2013; Historian/CSO Rep 2011-2012 Sign up for the They see themselves as all a part of the same family, and it's one that's very much a tight-knit community. The NFL uses her as a figurehead for females in the profession. The Chiefs were one of the healthiest teams in the NFL last season, so I encourage Chiefs Kingdom to congratulate both Burkholder and Glover for being recognized the best in their field. This means that if the Chiefs continue to advance, they could available for future postseason games. I rely on him for our performance stuff. Chiefs GM Brett Veach discusses negotiations with LT Orlando Brown Jr. Chiefs WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling recruiting former Packers teammate Allen Lazard. But right underneath that it said athletic training. You've just gotten a break," Burkholder added. There`s a crowd behind us who keeps pushing, and eventually you get it right, Morton said. Athletic training can be a bit of a thankless job in the NFL, but their work doesnt go unseen. When I was in school, I told her point blank, "I really want to make sure I get as many football opportunities as I can, so I can build my rsum." KANSAS CITY CHIEFS Arrowhead Stadium 1 Arrowhead Drive Kansas City, MO 64129 Rick Burkholder Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance David Glover Assistant Athletic Trainer Evan Craft Assistant Athletic Trainer Tiffany Morton Assistant Athletic Trainer Julie Frymyer Assistant Athletic Trainer/Physical Therapist Home Member Directory GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium Wifi Policy. Saturday is a prep day again; there isn't a lot of expectation for our players, but from an athletic training standpoint, it's packing up and getting ready for game day, whether that's Arrowhead Stadium or to whatever city we're flying to. I was an athletic trainer for Southridge High School in Miami, and they had a phenomenal group of trainers who were constantly learning from their athletes and each other. A daily roundup of all your Kansas City Chiefs news from Arrowhead Pride, By submitting your email, you agree to our, Arrowhead Pride | Kansas City Chiefs Schedule, News, Roster and Stats, Chiefs medical and athletic training staffs played big role in postseason placement, Arrowheadlines: MVS would like his former teammate to join him in Kansas City, Positions where the Chiefs do NOT have a significant need this offseason. In addition, Burkholder designed a rehab program for Steelers CB Rod Woodson in 1995 after he suffered a torn ACL in the season opener. The 43-year-old husband, father, and manager of the 6A-5A Kansas State High School Activities Association State Wrestling . Before that, he covered the Indiana Pacers at The Indianapolis Star for two years. During seasons when the Chiefs play deep into the playoffs or in the Super Bowl, does the preparation change? Thats the art of sports medicine, Burkholder said. One of the reasons this group has seemingly found so much success is because of the diversity of staff members. Born: Carlisle, Pa. Family: Wife - Kristine; Children - Quinn Taylor and Carly Ann.