PFATS Announces 2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

FEBRUARY 13, 2026. The Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) is honored to announce the Class of 2026 for the PFATS Hall of Fame. These inductees represent the pinnacle of dedication and service to the athletic training profession, enshrining their legacies as Hall of Famers.

The 2026 PFATS Hall of Fame class is composed of Michael Ryan, Kent Falb, and Edward “Abe” Abramoski. Together, these former PFATS members have devoted over a century to professional athletic training in the National Football League (NFL).

“The Class of 2026 represents the very foundation of modern player care in the NFL,” said Bryan Engel, PFATS President. “Mike, Kent, and Abe didn't just work on the sidelines; they built the standards of excellence we follow today. Their collective wisdom and tireless commitment to the health of their players have shaped the league's medical landscape for generations. We are privileged to celebrate their legendary careers.”

In addition to the PFATS Hall of Fame, these three former PFATS members will be honored at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH, as recipients of the Award of Excellence in June 2026.

“This year's class embodies the heart and soul of our society’s mission,” said Justin Maher, PFATS Hall of Fame Committee Chair. “Abe, Kent, and Mike didn't just treat injuries; they built lifelong bonds of trust with their players and helped lead this profession through decades of immense growth. By enshrining them today, we ensure that their pioneering spirit continues to inspire the next generation of athletic trainers who walk onto an NFL field.”

Michael Ryan

Mike Ryan, PT, ATC, is a renowned sports medicine expert and physical therapist with over 30 years of experience in the NFL. A Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants, he served as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Jacksonville Jaguars from their inaugural 1994 season through 2013. Ryan now translates his clinical expertise for millions as a sports medicine analyst for NBC’s Sunday Night Football. An Ironman triathlete based in Florida, he is dedicated to bringing elite injury prevention and performance techniques to athletes of all levels.

Kent Falb

Kent Falb is a distinguished athletic trainer with a career spanning over four decades in collegiate and professional sports. He is best known for his 33-year tenure as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Detroit Lions (1967–1999) and his extensive leadership within the NATA, where he served as President from 1996 to 2000. A member of the NATA Hall of Fame, Falb has also held key roles with the Professional Football Athletic Trainers' Society (PFATS) and is widely respected for his dedication to advancing athletic training education and global outreach.

Edward “Abe” Abramoski

Ed “Abe” Abramoski was a foundational figure in Buffalo Bills history, serving as the franchise's head athletic trainer for 36 seasons, from its inaugural year in 1960 through 1995. Originally a scholarship football player at Purdue, a back injury pivoted his career toward sports medicine. After stints at West Point, the University of Detroit, and the Detroit Lions, Abramoski became a charter member of the Bills’ organization, where he became a trusted confidant and advisor to generations of players.

His impact was so significant that he received honors rarely afforded to trainers: he was inducted into the Buffalo Bills Wall of Fame in 1999 and was chosen by Hall of Fame guard Billy Shaw to be his presenter at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A 1986 NATA Hall of Fame inductee, Abramoski also authored The Tale of the Tape, chronicling the history of the Bills from an insider's perspective. He is remembered as a cornerstone of the Buffalo sports community whose dedication spanned the team's entire evolution from the AFL to the Super Bowl era.

For more information about PFATS, please visit us at http://www.pfats.com.

About PFATS
The Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) represents the athletic trainers of the National Football League. PFATS serves the players of the NFL, the member clubs, and other members of the athletic training community. PFATS’ purpose is to ensure the highest quality of health care is provided to the athletes of the National Football League. PFATS is dedicated to the welfare of its members and committed to the promotion and advancement of athletic training through education and research. The society is founded on the professional integrity and the ethical standards of its members and the fellowship that exists among members. For more information, please see www.pfats.com

For more information, please contact Leslie Weir, admin@pfats.com

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