General
Q: What is the NFL Sports Medicine Pipeline Program?
A: The National Football League (NFL), NFL Physicians Society (NFLPS), and Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) are committed to increasing opportunities for students interested in sports medicine. The NFL Sports Medicine Pipeline Program was developed to encourage medical students from a variety of backgrounds to consider careers in sports medicine. Students are selected by their medical school and invited to complete one-month clinical rotations with NFL clubs across the league.
During this rotation, students will observe and participate in the care of players in an NFL club setting. Students will work directly with and under the supervision of the orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians, and athletic trainers to gain basic medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine. Additionally, students will also become familiar with return-to-play guidelines and on-field treatment considerations for NFL athletes. Students may also have the opportunity to attend home games and be present on the sideline for observation. By the end of the rotation, students will understand the basic elements of all facets of care provided to an NFL athlete across the club medical staff, spanning roles including orthopedic, primary care sports medicine, athletic training, dietitians, clinicians and strength and conditioning coaches.
Q: Which medical schools are involved?
A: The program began in 2022 with students from four medical schools, and has expanded to 21 schools as of 2024.
Participating institutions for the 2024 season included: Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Florida International University Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Howard University College of Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo, Kansas City University, Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at University of Nevada Las Vegas, LSU Health New Orleans, McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston, Meharry Medical College, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Morehouse School of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University, Stanford University Medical School, University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, University of Illinois College of Medicine, University of Kansas School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine and Wake Forest School of Medicine.
Q: Why did the NFL, NFLPS and PFATS launch this program?
A: The NFL, NFLPS and PFATS are committed to expanding access to sports medicine. We launched this initiative to encourage medical students to consider careers in sports medicine and provide mentorship to third- and fourth-year medical students at a critical juncture in their medical school journey.
By observing and participating in the care of player-patients alongside club medical and athletic training staff, medical students gain invaluable exposure to the day-to-day interactions and responsibilities of NFL medical staff and patient care in sports medicine. The initiative also offers students the opportunity to cultivate mentors and grow their network among the talented professionals across NFL club medical staffs, who specialize in different areas of medicine and come from a variety of backgrounds.
Ultimately, the program aims to broaden the pipeline of medical professionals entering the field of sports medicine in the years to come.
Q: Who will the medical students work with during their clinical rotation?
A: Medical students will work directly with the orthopedic team physicians, primary care team physicians, athletic trainers, dietitians, mental health clinicians, strength & conditioning coaches, equipment managers, and other members of the club medical staff to gain basic medical knowledge and exposure to patient care in sports medicine.
Q: Are there plans to create similar programs to engage other underrepresented groups in the NFL medical community?
A: Yes. In future years, we hope to broaden the initiative to include disciplines beyond primary care sports medicine and orthopedic surgery. Some of the roles that may be included are physician assistants, certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists and behavioral health clinicians.
For Interested Students
Q: My medical school participates in the NFL Sports Medicine Pipeline Program. How are students chosen?
A: Each participating institution and NFL club has established its own evaluation criteria for identifying and selecting students to participate in the program.
Q: Can I apply if my school is not currently part of the program?
A: For the 2025 season, each NFL club will partner with a medical school of their choosing. The program is for third- or fourth-year medical students who specialize in either orthopedic or primary care/sports medicine.
If your school is not currently part of the program, we encourage you to reach out to a local college or university with an athletic program and apply to intern with their athletic trainers and/or team physicians.
Q: I am currently a first-year medical student at a participating medical school. Can I apply?
A: The program is currently only available to third- or fourth-year medical students. We encourage interested students to stay up to date on the program and communications from -your medical school about the opportunity to apply once eligible
Q: Why isn't my specialty included in the program?
A: Currently, the program is geared toward students in primary care sports medicine and orthopedic surgery.
In the future, we hope to expand the program to additional disciplines including physician assistants, certified athletic trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, nutritionists and behavioral health clinicians.
