From Uncertainty to NFL: Matt Gregg’s Rise as an Athletic Trainer

For Matt Gregg, a career in sports medicine wasn’t always the plan. Growing up in Lewistown, Gregg was a dedicated athlete, excelling in football and wrestling. But when he entered Duquesne University, he spent three years studying biology without a clear career direction.

That changed after a pivotal conversation with Duquesne’s wrestling Athletic Trainer, who encouraged him to explore Athletic Training as a profession.

“Nothing really felt right,” Gregg recalled. “He just told me to try this. I researched it a bit and eventually fell in love with Athletic Training.”

Gregg quickly realized that the field combined all his interests—sports, anatomy, and injury rehabilitation. His passion led him to a seasonal internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 2011 season, an experience that cemented his career aspirations.

“Halfway through that, I knew this is what I wanted to do for a living,” he said.

After earning his undergraduate degree from Duquesne, Gregg pursued a master’s at Louisiana State University, working as a graduate assistant Athletic Trainer for the women’s gymnastics team. He later took a role at Saint Thomas Hospital in Nashville, assisting the Tennessee Titans’ Athletic Training staff. That decision paid off when he officially joined the Titans in 2014.

Under the mentorship of longtime Titans Director of Sports Medicine Todd Toriscelli, Gregg advanced to associate head Athletic Trainer and, after Toriscelli’s retirement, was recently promoted to Director of Sports Medicine.

Now, Gregg oversees the Titans’ medical care, working closely with players like Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, and Will Levis. His responsibilities extend beyond game days, involving player evaluations at the NFL Combine and Draft.

“At the combine, I evaluate players and do a medical-risk assessment on all of the 300-plus players,” he explained.

Despite the demanding nature of his job, Gregg remains focused on providing the best care possible.

“We have to have a very extensive knowledge of injury, rehabilitation, and a typical timeline,” he said. “It’s definitely a collaborative effort, always with the player’s best interest in mind.”

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