USFL Director of Athletic Training and Rehabilitation, Kevin O'Neill, M.S., LAT, ATC, is our Summer 2023 MVP Spotlight!
Kevin started his professional Athletic Training career at the young age of 25 when he became Head AT for Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon. After 4 years with the Beavers, and one year with the University of Central Florida, Kevin became Head AT for the University of Miami where he earned a National Championship ring in 1987.
Following his fourth year with the Hurricanes, he followed NFL Head Coach Jimmie Johnson to Dallas to work with the Cowboys. There, he earned three Super Bowl rings—in 1992, 93, and 95. Kevin then went to Miami where he rounded out his 25-year NFL career in 2014 as Head AT for the Dolphins.
Kevin was far from finished with football when he became the FIU Panthers’ Head Athletic Trainer, but he did not know that.
“I'd been at FIU for [nearly] five years and when we finished the 2019 season-- actually in Montgomery at the Camellia Bowl-- when I walked off that field, I told myself that's going to be it,” recalled Kevin.
Over a year after Kevin retired in 2020, a former Dallas Cowboys player asked him to help relaunch the United States Football League (USFL) by offering his leadership and guidance. For their first season back, Kevin says the league was fortunate to situate their sole city hub in Birmingham. As he grew into his new role, Kevin connected with UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine providers.
“We've landed with quality groups of medical professionals and [we] certainly feel blessed to continue to work with the ones we had here in Birmingham,” said Kevin. “They are all giving us incredibly good care for our players.”
Kevin went on to commend UAB’s Sports and Exercise Medicine team for their professionalism and support.
“I can't say enough about the positive relationships that have developed throughout the UAB Sports and Exercise Medicine community. We know we can pick up the phone, get MRI scheduled, get people into a clinic, get people seen with illnesses and benefit from the relationship greatly in terms of providing the best care for the players.”