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A number of members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons met at the Palmer House, in Chicago,
in January 1966. The purpose of the informal meeting was to discuss problems in professional football that
these men, who were team physicians, were having and to develop better communications among the teams. Drs.
Fred Reynolds, Clint Compere, Edmond McDonald, Joe Godfrey and James Nicholas were at the first meeting.
The Sports Medicine Committee, at that time chaired by Dr. Jack Hughston, established a liaison with this
group. In February 1967, the National Academy of Science sponsored a workshop on professional football
injuries. It was the first workshop of this type.
Dr. James Nicholas, of the New York Jets, was made the first President, in 1967. Dr. Fred Reynolds,
who was president of the Academy, was made the second president, in 1968, followed by Dr. Joseph Godfrey
of the Buffalo Bills, in 1969, and Dr. Edmond McDonald of the Baltimore Colts, in 1970. Each Academy
meeting between 1967 and 1970 was the site of a program held in conjunction with the Academy, which also
included a dinner for the members.
Additional members who joined at that time were Drs. Jim Funk of Atlanta, Kenneth Saer from New Orleans,
and Herbert Virgin from Miami. In those days, the problems included the difficulties with trading players
and the availability of their medical records. Transfer of information was very limited from club to club.
It is interesting to note that in the formation of the Society, two Academy presidents, Drs. Reynolds
and Compere, and an Academy vice-president, Dr. Godfrey, were directly involved in the care of teams and
also involved with setting up both the Sports Medicine Society, in 1972 and the Professional Football
Physicians Association.
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It was through the efforts of these men, as well as those of Dr. Hinchey, another
Academy president, from whom the Committee on Sports Medicine got its stimulus.
The Society flourished as other teams were added. Currently the Society has 134 members, representing 32
teams. Many of the 134 members are leaders in the field of Sports Medicine, have academic affiliations,
have contributed to the literature regarding injuries in athletics, and are involved in the education of
fellows and residents in the field of Sports Medicine.
In 1970, the New York Jets instituted a procedure to bring draft choices to their club facilities for
physical examination during the winter, starting with 40 players. This led to many of the teams doing the
same thing and ultimately to the combined physicals in the last decade. The combined exams are held each
year in Indianapolis. The NFL physicians examine 450-500 players in preparation for the draft. During
this week, the physicians hold a scientific meeting in which members present information regarding injuries
and medical problems common to professional football players.
The NFL Physician Society holds its annual business meeting during the week of the combined physicals. At
this time, the Society addresses issues common to the membership such as controlling substance abuse problems
among players, medico-legal concerns, and establishing effective liaisons with the owners and league office.
The goals of the NFL Physician Society are to constantly work toward improving the care of the professional
football players and the prevention and treatment of injuries.
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