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After going without an official head trainer since early October, the Washington Commanders finally hired Ryan Vermillion’s replacement Monday. Al Bellamy, the director of athletic training for Temple University for the past nine years, is Washington’s new head trainer.
This will be Bellamy’s second stint with the Commanders, as he previously spent 13 years with the organization. Hired in 1988 as an assistant trainer, Bellamy was a part of Washington’s medical staff in 1991, when the franchise won its last Super Bowl.
Overall, Bellamy has spent 25 years in the NFL. After a 13-year tenure in Washington, Bellamy spent 12 seasons with the Detroit Lions, where he helped manage the team’s athletic training staff and worked with the team’s physicians.
A Washington, D.C. native, Bellamy received his undergraduate degree from Michigan State. From there, he earned his master’s degree in health education from Syracuse in 1984.
Washington head coach Ron Rivera welcomed Bellamy back to Washington in a statement released by the team:
“I am excited to welcome Al Bellamy back to Washington,” said Rivera. “His experience and professionalism are both traits that we were looking for when making this hire. I’m looking forward to working with Al here in Washington and I know his knowledge and expertise will be invaluable for our players and coaches.”
Bellamy also released a statement through the team:
My family and I are extremely excited for this opportunity to join the Washington Commanders as its head athletic trainer. I’m thankful and humbled by the responsibility that Coach Rivera and the organization have bestowed upon me. I’m thrilled to get the opportunity to work with a tremendous group of people in our medical staff, strength staff and all involved in the health care and performance of our players. I would also like to thank Mr. Arthur Johnson, Coach Stan Drayton and Temple University who have provided me with support and respect for my decision to accept this position. It is hard for me to comprehend that I’m following in the footsteps of Bubba Tyer, and those are big shoes to fill. I’m going to hit the ground running and can’t wait to help contribute to what Coach Rivera is building here in Washington.
Washington general manager and former cornerback for the team, Martin Mayhew, called Bellamy “one of the finest I’ve had the privilege of working with in the NFL.”
Washington did not disclose the status of Vermillion, who has not been charged after being placed on leave in October when the Drug Enforcement Administration served search warrants on Washington’s team headquarters and a Northern Virginia home last year.