If anything remotely positive has come out of a tough 2022 for the NFL injury-wise, it's the increasing attention given to the league's medical professionals, too often unsung heroes.
For instance, Bills assistant trainer Denny Kellington was fêted around the country for his role in saving safety Damar Hamlin's life after his collapse on Jan. 2. Now, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is giving props to a person crucial to his recovery from the ankle sprain he sustained in an AFC divisional-round game against the Jaguars.
After Kansas City knocked off the Bengals 23-20 to win the conference title, Rick Burkholder — the Chiefs' Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance — praised team assistant trainer and physical therapist Julie Frymyer for designing Mahomes's rehab in a tweet.
Mahomes quickly concurred, tweeting nine minutes later, "Julie WAS the reason I was the guy I was on the field today! It takes everyone but she (led) the charge all week!!! Now let’s get Super Bowl ready!!"
The tweet amassed over 4,000 retweets and 65,000 likes. Mahomes and Kansas City will meet the Eagles in Super Bowl LVII on Feb. 12.