Ravens Head Team Orthopedist Dr. Leigh Ann Curl
Named Outstanding NFL Team Physician of the Year
Indianapolis, IN (February 26, 2025) – The NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS) congratulates Dr. Leigh Ann Curl, head team orthopedic surgeon for the Baltimore Ravens for being awarded the prestigious Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award. Dr. Curl was recognized as an outstanding NFL head team physician by the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) at the NFLPS Annual Scientific Meeting and Symposium 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. Curl is recognized for her decades of dedicated service to NFL players.
Dr. Curl has been with the Ravens since 1998, and is also the Chief of Orthopaedics at MedStar Harbor Hospital. She was previously the President of the NFLPS. As president, Dr. Curl provided direction and support for the physicians and athletic trainers to ensure athletes receive the highest standard of medical and surgical care.
“We are all grateful for Dr Curl’s dedication and leadership in the medical care of athletes throughout the league,” said Dr. James Voos, NFLPS President and Head Team Physician for the Cleveland Browns.
“PFATS is pleased to announce that Dr. Leigh Ann Curl is this year’s recipient of the Jerry ‘Hawk’ Rhea award,” said Bryan “Flea” Engel, President of PFATS and Director of Sports Medicine / Head Athletic Trainer for the Green Bay Packers.
“Dr. Curl, a former collegiate athlete, is no stranger to the important relationship that exists between athletic trainers and physicians. Dr. Curl has not only promoted the profession of athletic training, but has also shown a dedication and recognition to advancing the utilization of the unique skillset that athletic trainers possess. Dr. Curl has impacted the growth and development of athletic trainers at all levels, spending time as a team physician at the collegiate, professional and international ranks. She has also had a profound impact on the development and advancement of sports medicine, the profession of athletic training and PFATS through her work with the Baltimore Ravens, teaching, as well as her research. On behalf of PFATS, we are honored to present Dr. Curl with this distinguished award,” said Engel.
“Personally, she is a trusted colleague and mentor. On behalf of the NFLPS, congratulations to Dr. Curl. Thank you to PFATS for recognizing this outstanding physician.”
“Dr. Curl is unquestionably one of the best orthopedists in the industry. Her attention to detail and analytical approach to providing care is remarkable and impressive,” said Adrian Dixon, the Head Certified Athletic Trainer for the Baltimore Ravens.
“It gives me great peace of mind knowing I have the best in the business to lean on in providing care for the players. This award is a testament to her consistent reliability and the respect she has garnered in her career. We are all grateful to have her as a Raven,” said Dixon.
The 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.
The winner of the last Jerry “Hawk” Rhea Award for Outstanding NFL Team Physician was Scott Rodeo of the New York Football Giants. A full list of previous winners can be found here.
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