Philly Leader

In the bustling environment of the Eagles' Sports Medicine/Athletic Training Room, Tom Hunkele, the Vice President of Sports Medicine/Head Athletic Trainer, oversees the team's medical treatment plan. The room is filled with players seeking treatment and answers, a typical scene during the demanding days of Training Camp that stretch from 6 AM to 10 PM.

"A new year is totally different than the year before," said Hunkele. "New team, new opportunity, everything is fresh. Fresh start. And it's really about everybody on the team – the athletes, the coaches, everyone on my staff – having a chance to get better, to grow and do things that maybe didn't get a chance to do the year before."

Hunkele emphasized their primary mindset: "What can we do to help the team win? What can we do to help the athletes on the team have the success they can have and ultimately be on the field to play their best football."

The athletic training staff includes experts like Jerome Reid, Joseph O'Pella, Steve Feldman, Shaneice Jackson, and Monte Wong. Hunkele collaborates closely with Fernando Noriega, director of player performance and sports science/head strength and conditioning coach.

"Everything works hand in hand," noted Hunkele. This collaboration extends from coaching strategies on-field to player recovery routines and medical treatments provided by his team throughout the season.

Currently in his 25th NFL season and 11th with the Eagles, Hunkele acknowledged Philadelphia's fortunate position regarding player health at this stage of preparation.

"I think the biggest thing is the overall level of trust between the players, the medical staff, the coaching staff, and everybody in the organization," he said. "They know that we have our eye on what is best for these players. It's not about just the next day. It's about their full contracts, their careers."

Hunkele elaborated on injury management: "It all starts when somebody gets injured... Our physicians recognize what's going on; clinicians formulate a plan... We present that and then it's important that athletes feel good about it."

He stressed that rehabilitation involves significant participation from players themselves: "They are as big a part of rehabilitation as anyone in building."

Hunkele’s message underscores trust within his team: “The Eagles have an incredible team... aim[ing] to bring out very best in every individual throughout course of long successful NFL career.”

"It's always a prove-it year," he concluded. "The only way to have success is to show them that you truly care about players... We're treating them as people... helping them get on right path to having great season many more after that."