Dr. Daniel E. Cooper, the head physician for the Dallas Cowboys, received the Arthur C. Rettig Award for Academic Excellence on Monday from the NFL Physicians Society.

The award is given annually to an NFL team physician for academic excellence in research in advancing the health and safety of players in the NFL.

The study, “Return to Play Following Isolated and Combined ACL Reconstruction: 25 Years of Experience Treating NFL Athletes,” was presented by Dr. Cooper at the NFLPS scientific meeting. His co-authors were: Dr. Michael Khair, Jim Maurer, J. Britt Brown, Hayden McColl, and Dr. Robert D. Vandermeer.

Maurer is head athletic trainer and Brown is associate athletic trainer/director of rehabilitation with the Cowboys.

Cooper is a widely recognized authority in the field of sports medicine, sub-specializing in injuries to the knee and shoulder. He treats all types of athletes; professionals, collegiate, high school and recreational.

The NFL Physicians Society’s mission is to provide excellence in the medical and surgical care of the athletes in the NFL and to provide direction and support for the athletic trainers in charge of the care for these athletes.