Bruschi's salute to unsung Patriots staffers
Brandon Meriweather gets medical attention. (Globe File Photo)
In thinking back to some of Tedy Bruschi's poignant remarks on Monday, it was nice to hear him mention some behind-the-scenes Patriots staffers.
"Someone that doesn’t get thanked a lot in this organization, but really does countless hours of work and keeps us on the field is Jim Whalen and his training staff," Bruschi said. "I know what good of a job he does, to keep me on the field for 13 years in one piece. I don’t know, Jim, if you’re hearing this, but I appreciate it – Jimbo and your staff with Joe [Van Allen] and Dave Granito. I really appreciate that. They don’t get thanked a lot."
Following up on Bruschi's hat-tip to Whalen, here is a bit more:
Whalen first served as an assistant trainer for the Patriots in 1992 and 1993. He graduated from Bridgewater State College in 1993 with a degree in physical education and earned his master's degree in sports medicine from Miami in 1996. After working in the college ranks at Miami and Kansas State, he re-entered the NFL as the director of rehabilitation for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000-2001), before re-joining the Patriots as head trainer in 2002. He supervises the evaluation and care of injuries, and the treatment and rehabilitation of all players.
Van Allen is the team's assistant athletic trainer and director of rehabilitation. He joined the team in the spring of 2001. He is responsible for the physical therapy and rehabilitation of injured players, working closely with Whalen and strength and conditioning coach Mike Woicik on all aspects of the club's training program.
Granito is an assistant athletic trainer in his eighth season with the club. He's previously worked with the training staffs of the New York Giants and West Virginia University.
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Tedy is/was not your typical professional athlete.....
He will be missed by the team and fans!
Interesting he thanks the training staff. I was going to comment on if you thought the performance of the training staff was related to the amount of injuries the Pats have had compared to other teams.
Bruschi just picked now to retire so the signs on the mass pike could thank him too.
Fantastic that Tedy thanked the athletic trainers who work so hard to keep him, and the other Patriots, healthy and well enough to perform at that level. Andy, the athletic training staff is not responsible for the team's injuries (these aren't fitness trainers) they manage and rehabilitate them as critical members of the medical staff.
Fantastic that Tedy thanked the athletic trainers who work so hard to keep him, and the other Patriots, healthy and well enough to perform at that level. Andy, the athletic training staff is not responsible for the team's injuries (these aren't fitness trainers) they manage and rehabilitate them as critical members of the medical staff.
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