At the NFL Physicians Society's annual Scientific Meeting and Symposium, Panthers head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion won the Fain-Cain Memorial Award for Outstanding NFL Athletic Trainer of the Year and team orthopedist Dr. Robert B. Anderson won the Jerry "Hawk" Rhea Award as outstanding NFL physician courtesy of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society.
Vermillion has served as an athletic trainer in the NFL for 24 years. He started as a Director of Rehabilitation for the Miami Dolphins and later with the Washington Redskins. He has served as the Panthers' head athletic trainer for 14 years.
"One thing that separated Ryan apart from others, particularly early in his career, was the fact that he was both a highly experienced athletic trainer but also a certified physical therapist," said Dr.