(Indianapolis, IN — March 1, 2023) – The NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) applauds Andrew Tucker, M.D. of the Baltimore Ravens for being awarded the prestigious Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award. Dr. Tucker was recognized as an outstanding NFL team physician by the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) at the NFLPS Annual Scientific Meeting during the NFL Scouting Combine. The award is given annually by PFATS to the NFL team physician who has made the greatest contributions to both the NFL and the profession of athletic training.

“Dr. Tucker has been an excellent physician and mentor to countless healthcare professionals and athletes alike over the years. He absolutely has been that for me since I came to this organization.  I am honored to be associated with him. He is a very distinguished but humble man who is very deserving of this honor,” said Adrian Dixon, Head Athletic Trainer for the Baltimore Ravens.

“Team physicians, like Dr. Andrew Tucker, play such an important role in our medical care for patients. It gives me great pleasure to give this year’s Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award to someone as deserving as Dr. Tucker as he has been a pillar in the athletic training room for over 25 years. This award is given to the NFL club physician of the year, and is one of PFATS most honorable, coveted and prestigious annual awards.“ said Reggie Scott, Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Los Angeles Rams and President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS). 

For over 30 years, Dr. Tucker has provided primary medical care to athletes at all levels. He has worked closely with Baltimore players since the team’s inception in 1996, and prior to that, spent five years as a Cleveland Browns’ team physician.

He was the President of the NFL Physicians Society during the 2007 and 2008 seasons, and recently served as the Chairman of the NFL General Medical Committee. 

Dr. Tucker’s clinical research includes cardiovascular health and screening in athletes and sports concussion in pediatric and adult athletes. He is published in multiple medical journals and has written book chapters on a variety of sports health topics, including concussion, pre-participation examinations, and musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.

He completed his medical degree at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. 

The Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award for Outstanding NFL Team Physician is presented annually by PFATS 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.

The winner of the last Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award was Dr. James Muntz of the Houston Texans. A full list of previous winners can be found here.