Congratulations are in order for our Head Athletic Trainer and VP of Sports Medicine & Performance, Rick Burkholder, on his induction into the National Athletic Trainers' Association Hall of Fame! 👏 pic.twitter.com/oyJDWfZJSO
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) June 23, 2023
Kansas City Chiefs Head Athletic Trainer and VP of Sports Medicine & Performance, Rick Burkholder, was one of six new enshrinees for the National Athletic Trainers’ Association (NATA) Hall of Fame.
Entering his 11th season with the Chiefs in 2023, Burkholder has consistently been recognized as one of the top athletic trainers in the NFL. He’s spent over 20 seasons on Andy Reid’s staff spanning his tenures in Philadelphia and Kansas City. Before he joined the Eagles’ staff, Burkholder began his NFL career in athletic training as an assistant with the Pittsburgh Steelers for six seasons.
In 2014, Burkholder was elected as President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) for a three-year term. During his term, Burkholder made an outsized impact in fostering gender equality among the NFL’s athletic trainers and emphasized the importance of athletic trainers at all levels of football.
The NATA Hall of Fame enshrinement ceremony took place at the 74th NATA Clinical Symposia & AT Expo in Indianapolis, Indiana this week. There, Burkholder received an additional piece of jewelry to go along with his second Super Bowl ring.
It has been quite the week for receiving new jewelry. I am blessed and so grateful. @Chiefs @NATA1950 pic.twitter.com/FJUWv7uTem
— Rick Burkholder (@proatc) June 23, 2023
This isn’t the only NATA honor that Burkholder has taken home during his career. In 2016, he earned the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. The following year, Burkholder received the NATA’s President’s Award, which signifies those who make an outstanding impact on the athletic trainer profession. He’s also previously taken home the NATA Athletic Training Service Award.
Burkholder was honored just two seasons ago with the NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) Fain-Cain Memorial Award Oustanding Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.
