Two members of the Kansas City Chiefs athletic training staff have earned recognition for their tireless work during the 2021 NFL season.
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. Burkholder also served as the team’s Infection Control Officer (ICO) during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Congratulations to this year’s NFLPS Outstanding Athletic Trainer of the Year, Rick Burkholder @proatc VP of Sports Medicine and Performance of the Kansas City Chiefs @Chiefs pic.twitter.com/elIofocElY
— PFATS Foundation (@PFATSFoundation) March 3, 2022
“One thing I’ve come to appreciate about Rick is his complex understanding of rehabilitation for the professional athlete,” Chiefs head orthopedic surgeon Dr. Paul Schroeppel said, via press release. “His ability to balance athlete safety and protection, the desires and competitive drive of the athlete, and utilization of contemporary rehabilitation techniques to expedite recovery and optimize outcomes has been impressive. His many rehab successes have been widely documented, from Rod Woodson to Terrell Owens to Patrick Mahomes.”
One of the most humbling nights of my career. Thank you to my amazing staff, my amazing docs and my family. To be awarded by the NFL Physician’s as the AT of the year has just floored me. So grateful and bless! @EricSugarATC pic.twitter.com/mA0ZW2tbMC
— Rick Burkholder (@proatc) March 3, 2022
Burkholder first joined the Chiefs alongside Andy Reid in 2013 as head athletic trainer. He was promoted to his current position in 2018. He’s 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.
Chiefs assistant athletic trainer, David Glover, won the 2022 Tim Davey AFC Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year. 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 presented the award to Glover, who has been with the Chiefs since 2012.
Proud @pfats_com Head AT moment as David Glover of @Chiefs is the 2022 Tim Davey AFC Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year. I had the honor of presenting this award sponsored by @HenrySchein to the glue who holds us all together at Chiefs’ Medical. So proud of you Glove!
— Rick Burkholder (@proatc) March 1, 2022
Athletic training can be a bit of a thankless job in the NFL, but their work doesn’t go unseen. 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.
