The saga surrounding former Washington Commanders trainer Ryan Vermillion ended Friday when he reached a deal with prosecutors to avoid being charged for illegally distributing opioids.
Vermillion was hired by Washington head coach Ron Rivera shortly after his hiring ahead of the 2020 season. Vermillion was placed on leave by Washington back on Oct. 4, 2021, after the DEA conducted a raid at Washington’s facility and a nearby home.
While Vermillion was placed on leave and Washington used interns and others to fill his role for the remainder of the 2021 NFL season. The Commanders hired Al Bellamy in April as the new head athletic trainer.
Rivera released a statement on Vermillion Friday via Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post:
Statement from Ron Rivera on former athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion: pic.twitter.com/6vZVKhSvQk
— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) August 19, 2022
The NFL suspended Vermillion indefinitely, but he can apply for reinstatement after one year. NFL, in conjunction with the NFLPA, launched a joint investigation.
Before coming to Washington, Vermillion spent 18 years as the Carolina Panthers head athletic trainer.
