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After the Super Bowl, our attention was drawn to the incredible women who serve as Athletic Trainers for the Kansas City Chiefs, and their story really captured your interest!
So, we wanted to dive a little deeper into their backgrounds so you can learn even more!
First up... get to know Julie Frymyer:
Days before a pivotal game against the Cincinnati Bengals, with a trip to the 2023 Super Bowl hanging in the balance, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes found himself under the careful attention of Julie Frymyer in the athletic training room.
A Warwick High School alum, Frymyer has been a key figure in the Chiefs' athletic training staff since 2018, tasked with addressing Mahomes' high ankle sprain suffered in a playoff victory.
"Stopping isn’t the easiest," Mahomes expressed, pinpointing the discomfort in his left ankle to Frymyer, who meticulously worked to understand and alleviate his pain.
This crucial moment of care and expertise is highlighted in the final episode of the docuseries "Quarterback" on Netflix, showcasing the integral role Frymyer played in Mahomes' journey to lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory over the Philadelphia Eagles.
Mahomes himself acknowledged Frymyer's pivotal role:
“Julie WAS the reason I was the guy I was on the field today! It takes everyone but she led the charge all week!!!”
Frymyer's journey to the NFL was inspired by her early experiences in athletic training, starting as a high school freshman at Warwick. Influenced by athletic trainers Beth Bond and Jessica Hoenich, Frymyer developed a passion for the profession, learning the ropes and dreaming big.
Scott Heinerichs, Dean of West Chester’s College of Health Sciences, where Frymyer pursued her bachelor’s degree, recalled:
“I remember her saying, ‘I’m going to work in the NFL.'”
Her path to the Chiefs was paved by her diverse experiences and academic achievements, including a master’s degree in exercise physiology and a doctorate in physical therapy.
As a testament to her skill and dedication, Rick Burkholder, Chiefs' head athletic trainer, praised Frymyer:
"The single-best clinician I have ever been around."
Frymyer emphasizes the importance of her role in supporting players' careers and well-being, said:
“Getting to see them have success on the field, live out their dreams, there is no bigger thank you and no greater feeling. I don’t need a spotlight on me because... they are simultaneously helping me live mine.”
Her humility and commitment reflect the essence of her impact on the team, making her an unsung hero in the high-stakes world of the NFL.
Read her full story here!
