Arthur C. Rettig, M.D. Award for Academic Excellence
Excellence in Academic Research
The Arthur C. Rettig Award was established in 2014 to recognize an NFL team physician for excellence in academic research and advancing the health and safety of players in the National Football League. Dr. Arthur Rettig is a highly respected orthopedic surgeon who specialized in sports medicine and disorders of the upper extremities. Now retired, Dr. Rettig was a leading member of the Colts medical staff since the team arrived in Indianapolis in 1984.
| 2023 | Dr. Leslie Bisson | Buffalo Bills |
| 2022 | Dr. Joseph C. Maroon | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2020 | Dr. Asheesh Bedi | Detroit Lions |
| 2019 | Dr. James Bradley | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2018 | Dr. Scott Rodeo | New York Giants |
| 2017 | Dr. Timothy McAdams | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2016 | Dr. Dan Cooper | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2015 | Dr. Robert Brophy | St. Louis Rams |
| 2014 | Dr. Robert C. Anderson | Carolina Panthers |
Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award
Outstanding NFL Team Physician of the Year
Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award for Outstanding NFL Team Physician is presented annually by PFATS (Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society) to a member of the NFLPS. First awarded in 1998, it is named for Jerry Rhea who was the Head Athletic Trainer for the Atlanta Falcons from 1969 until 1994 and worked as Assistant to the President of the Falcons from 1994 to 2001. Jerry Rhea was the first winner, in 1998, of the Fain-Cain Memorial Award for outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer of the year, awarded annually by the NFL team physicians.
| 2023 | Dr. Scott Rodeo | New York Giants |
| 2022 | Dr. James E. Muntz | Houston Texans |
| 2020 | Dr. Robert A. Heyer | Carolina Panthers |
| 2019 | Dr. Sheldon Burns | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2018 | Dr. Walt Lowe | Houston Texans |
| 2017 | Dr. James Andrews | Washington Commanders |
| 2016 | Dr. Robert C. Anderson | Carolina Panthers |
| 2015 | Dr. Elliot B Hershman | New York Jets |
| 2014 | Dr. Jim Bradley | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2013 | Dr. Daniel Cooper | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2012 | Dr. Theodore Schlegel | Denver Broncos |
| 2011 | Dr. Patrick J. McKenzie | Green Bay Packers |
| 2010 | Dr. Robert Heidt | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2009 | Dr. Anthony Yates | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2008 | Dr. Michael Dillingham | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2007 | Dr. Walter Timperman | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2007 | Dr. Allan M Levy | New York Giants |
| 2006 | Dr. Timothy Finney | New Orleans Saints |
| 2005 | Dr. David Fischer | Minnesota Vikings |
| 2004 | Dr. Russell Warren | New York Giants |
| 2003 | Dr. Arthur Rettig | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2002 | Dr. Bertram Zarins | New England Patriots |
| 2001 | Dr. Charles Harrison | Atlanta Falcons |
| 2000 | Dr. Charles Brown | New Orleans Saints |
| 1999 | Dr. John Bergfeld | Cleveland Browns |
| 1998 | Dr. Don Knowlan | Washington Commanders |
Fain-Cain Memorial Award
Outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year
The Fain-Cain award is named for Dr. Thomas E. Cain and Dr. Robert H. Fain, long time team physicians for the old Houston Oilers. The award was established shortly after Dr. Cain’s death and Dr. Fain’s retirement. Both physicians exhibited long term commitments to the NFL and exemplary performances. The award is given annually by the NFLPS to an NFL athletic trainer who manifests these traits.
| 2023 | Jeff Ferguson | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| 2022 | Todd Toriscelli | Tennessee Titans |
| 2021 | Rick Burkholder | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2020 | Paul Sparling | Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2019 | Jim Whalen | New England Patriots |
| 2018 | Dave Hammer | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2017 | Jim Maurer | Dallas Cowboys |
| 2016 | Ryan Vermillion | Carolina Panthers |
| 2015 | John Norwig | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 2014 | Kevin O’Neill | Miami Dolphins |
| 2013 | Pepper Burruss | Green Bay Packers |
| 2012 | H. Rod Martin | Oakland Raiders |
| 2011 | Steve Antonopulos | Denver Broncos |
| 2010 | Bill Tessendorf | Baltimore Ravens |
| 2009 | Hunter Smith | Indianapolis Colts |
| 2008 | John Omohundro | Arizona Cardinals |
| 2007 | David C. Kendall | Kansas City Chiefs |
| 2007 | Ron O’Neil | New England Patriots |
| 2006 | Scottie Patton | New Orleans Saints |
| 2006 | Kevin Mangum | New Orleans Saints |
| 2006 | Duane Brooks | New Orleans Saints |
| 2005 | Lindsy McLean | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2004 | Bubba Tyer | Washington Commanders |
| 2003 | Ronnie Barnes | New York Giants |
| 2002 | Jim Whitesel | Seattle Seahawks |
| 2001 | Dean Kleinschmidt | New Orleans Saints |
| 2000 | Kent Falb | Detroit Lions |
| 1999 | Fred Zamberletti | Minnesota Vikings |
| 1998 | Jerry “Hawk” Rhea | Atlanta Falcons |
NFLPS and PFATS Presidents’ Award
The NFLPS and PFATS Presidents’ Award is given to an individual or group has shown exemplary service and dedication in the medical field.
| 2023 | Robert Anderson | Green Bay Packers |
| 2022 | Medical Staffs | Buffalo Bills & Cincinnati Bengals |
| 2021 | Allen Sills | NFL |