Former Cleveland Browns’ Senior Vice President of Player Health & Development Joe Sheehan

Named Outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year

Indianapolis, IN (February 26, 2025)– The NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) hosted an awards ceremony at its annual Scientific Meeting during the NFL Scouting Combine where it honored Joe Sheehan of the Cleveland Browns with the Fain-Cain Memorial Award for Outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year.

Sheehan was the Senior Vice President of Player Health & Development for the Browns. Sheehan was previously the director of rehabilitation for the Jacksonville Jaguars including three years as an assistant athletic trainer. He had been with the Browns since 2014. Before that, he worked with the Arkansas Razorbacks of the University of Arkansas helping them to create their combined athletic training program which serviced 19 sports and more than 460 student-athletes.

“Joe has been a trusted and invaluable colleague due to his compassion, professionalism, and years of real-world experience,” said Dr. James Voos, NFLPS President and Head Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns.  “It has been an honor to work with him for over a decade.”

The Fain-Cain Award is named for Dr. Thomas E. Cain, M.D., and Dr. Robert H. Fain, M.D., both long-time team physicians for the former Houston Oilers. The award was established shortly after Dr. Cain’s death and Dr. Fain’s retirement. The award is given annually to an NFL athletic trainer who best reflects the virtues of a certified athletic trainer and displays the highest level of professionalism.

The winner of the Fain-Cain Award last year was Jeff Ferguson of the Jacksonville Jaguars. A full list of previous winners can be found here.

###