The Washington Commanders brought back a familiar face Friday, announcing the re-hiring of former assistant athletic trainer Doug Quon.
Quon, who was initially hired by Washington in April 2014, was placed on administrative leave on Oct. 9, 2021, when the DEA raided the team’s practice facility as part of an investigation into former head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion.
The team placed Quon on leave without clarification due to the investigation into Vermillion. However, Quon was not charged with any wrongdoing and was welcomed back, as both the NFL and NFLPA approved Quon’s re-hiring, according to John Keim of ESPN.
The Commanders released the following statement.
“Player health and safety is our top priority, and we are pleased to continue to build up our training staff with another seasoned professional with the reinstatement of Doug Quon in the role of assistant athletic trainer,” the statement said. “We are happy to welcome him back.”
Vermillion was eventually fired by Washington, and in April 2022, the Commanders hired Al Bellamy as the new head athletic trainer. Washington also added Lindsay Gately as an assistant athletic trainer/physical therapist to the staff last year.
Before coming to Washington in 2014, Quon worked with UC-Irvine, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Kansas City Chiefs in different roles. He was a part of the Washington training staff that won the Ed Block Training Staff of the Year.
