Tag: award of excellence

Former Saints trainer Dean Kleinschmidt recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame

Former New Orleans Saints trainer Dean Kleinschmidt was recognized by Pro Football Hall of Fame with their Awards of Excellence for 2024:

Dean Kleischmidt, former New Orleans Saints head athletic trainer, was one of the recipients for this year’s Awards of Excellence by the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kleinschmidt spent 31 years working for the Saints, starting in 1969 as an assistant athletic trainer. He was promoted to head athletic trainer in 1971 at age 23 and was the youngest person to hold that position in the NFL.

“He’s been my mentor when I was doing athletic training, he’s been a friend, a close friend, for now 50 years,” said Saints executive director of administration Jay Romig. “He’s a tremendous person and is so well-deserving to (be honored by) the Professional Football Hall of Fame.”

Kleinschmidt is also a member of the Louisiana Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame, the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame and the Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame.

“He’s played a big part in the history of football, football in this area and wherever he’s been,” Romig said.

The Awards of Excellence, first given out in 2022, recognize assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, film/video directors and public relations personnel who have made major contributions to the game. The Hall of Fame itself does not take part in the nomination process.

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Former Ravens public relations advisor wins prestigious award

Public relations advisor Kevin Byrne was given the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Award of Excellence after spending 41 years with the Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are known to host a tight-knit and highly competent front office that defines the cutting-edge of administrative superiority in the NFL. One of the most recognized members of their team, senior public relations advisor Kevin Byrne, was granted the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s prestigious Award of Excellence on Wednesday for his role in making Ravens football into the juggernaut it is today.

According to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which first started giving this distinguished recognition in 2022, the Award of Excellence program is “an effort to recognize individuals from various groups that have propelled the success of teams and the sport of professional football”.

Byrne certainly played an integral part in keeping Baltimore at the forefront of the NFL’s extremely competitive landscape, serving in various capacities as a part of the Ravens’ public relations staff over the course of his 41 years with the team. He is considered to be an “original Raven”, having moved with the team as a member of the Cleveland Browns in 1996 to lay the groundwork for Baltimore football as fans know it today.

According to the Ravens’ official website, the team’s public relations staff won three Pete Rozell awards under his direction between 2010 and 2016 for their excellent work, and Byrne was a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquette’s Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.

For all of his accomplishments though, this official recognition by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the work he did as a member of Baltimore’s front office should stand apart from the rest. Byrne is no longer with the Ravens after electing to retire after the 2021 season, but his legacy lives on as Baltimore looks to continue pushing the envelope in every way it can.

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Russell Wilson receives award from Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson was awarded the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation Award of Excellence thanks to his charity work.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson’s trophy case got a little bigger this month after he was awarded the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation Award of Excellence for his work in the fight against pediatric cancer.

Wilson joins an extremely impressive list of former honorees, including Hank Aaron, Brett Favre and Jim Kelly.

“My Dad made sure I understood the importance of helping others,” said Wilson about the honor. “I’m grateful to be in a position that allows me to give back in a meaningful way, and I’m honored to be selected by the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation for this honor. Individual efforts are important, but when we all come together, true impact is made.”

Since getting drafted, Wilson has spent his Tuesday’s at Seattle Children’s Hospital during the season, helping uplift the kids and their families. His ‘Why Not You Foundation’ has raised over $8 million dollars for the ‘Strong Against Cancer’ fundraising initiative over the past five years. Wilson is the team captain of the initiative, which has the goal of curing pediatric cancer with immunotherapy treatment.

This award recognizes individuals who have the desire to prevent cancer and find a cure, and who capture the spirit of commitment and pursuit of excellence embodied by former Packers coach Vince Lombardi.

Wilson, by all accounts, fits those metrics and is extremely deserving of this honor, given at the 30th anniversary of this event.

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