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After narrowly missing out on the championship in the 2022-2023 season, the San Francisco 49ers are gearing up for another shot and Oanh Ngo, a Pacific University graduate and Athletic Trainer, will be on the sidelines aiding them.
Having worked with the team on a one-year contract the previous season, the 49ers have retained her services for this year. For Ngo, working with a major league team like the 49ers is a big step in her desired career path.
Oanh began at the University of Oregon, initially thinking she would venture into physical therapy.
But personal experience with a sports injury, tearing her anterior cruciate ligament, drove her to help athletes other recover from such setbacks.
She enrolled in Pacific University's Master of Science in Athletic Training program. The program's intimate setup, with a low teacher-to-student ratio, allowed personalized attention and hands-on experiences, including working directly on cadavers.
Ngo got her initial experience with the 49ers during a five-week summer training camp internship. After the internship, she maintained communication with the team, leading to her securing a one-year contract and a subsequent extension for this 2023-24 season.
Starting with the 49ers was initially nerve-wracking for Ngo, but she quickly adapted and fostered close relationships with the players, particularly those on the defensive side. Her responsibilities ranged from taping ankles and ensuring equipment was in place to helping players manage their emotions during games.
Thankfully the presence of women on the sidelines in the National Football League (NFL) has become more commonplace. And Ngo acknowledged there are still some challenges that women face in the male-dominated sport. But the supportive environment within the 49ers, especially from another permanent female Athletic Trainer (and from the players and coaching staff) ensured her integration and comfort within the team.
When she started, she admitted to being nervous, as you would at any new job, but the players and staff were friendly and open, and within a couple of days, she went about tasks with confidence. and she also asked questions.
Her mentor emphasized that Ngo's presence in such a pivotal role was a testament to her competence and skills. She told Ngo:
"Hey, if there’s anything you need, I’m an advocate for you. It’s hard to be in this profession. I know. I understand that you’re a female, but it’s OK. You did something right to get where you are."
Ngo described her role on game day in the NFL:
“We’re always looking for a player acting differently. If someone is coming off and grabbing their ankle, that’s kind of when we’re like ‘Hey, everything OK?’ And after that, we’ll assess the situation.
She stated that the head athletic trainer and the team doctors all may be involved before deciding the next step, whether it means sending a player to the training room or patting him on the back and walking away.
And that's a slice of life for an Athletic Trainer in working in the pro football setting!
Check out the full story here!
