The Commanders have a new head athletic trainer, as the team announced on Monday that it has hired Al Bellamy to handle that key role.
Bellamy's new gig will actually be his second with Washington, as he previously worked with the club beginning in 1988 as an assistant trainer. That first stint with the franchise lasted 13 seasons.
"I am excited to welcome Al Bellamy back to Washington," Ron Rivera said in a press release. "His experience and professionalism are both traits that we were looking for when making this hire."
Bellamy, who most recently served as the director of athletic training at the University of Temple for nine years, also logged 12 seasons of work with the Detroit Lions. During that stop in his career, he overlapped with Martin Mayhew, who's now the general manager of the Commanders.
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"Al Bellamy is one of the finest men I've had the privilege of working with in the NFL," Mayhew said in the same release. "He is a true professional and one of the most well-respected men in his field."
Bellamy will take over a position that was previously held by Ryan Vermillion, who was placed on leave last October after the DEA raided his house as well as the team's practice facility in relation to the "possible diversion of prescription drugs."
Vermillion is not facing any criminal charges at this time.
In Vermillion's absence, Washington relied on a combination of people to oversee the training staff. At one point in the 2021 campaign, longtime Joe Gibbs-era trainer Bubba Tyer was spotted volunteering at practice, and Ron Rivera later sought out a former Capitals trainer for further assistance.
"I'm going to hit the ground running and can't wait to help contribute to what Coach Rivera is building," Bellamy, who attended Archbishop John Carroll High School in D.C., said.