He has never thrown a pass, scored a touchdown or made a tackle, but many Ravens claims no one in the organization is integral to their success than Bill Tessendorf.
Tessendorf is the Ravens vice president of medical services and is the team’s head certified athletic trainer. He?s in his 35th year with the franchise after being hired by the Cleveland Browns as an assistant trainer in 1973, which makes him the NFL?s second-longest tenured employee in the league behind trainer John Omohundro, whose in his 39th season with the Arizona Cardinals.
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During training camp, it is Tessendorf, 57, who keeps coaches up-to-date on players injuries, helps players prepare their bodies for the season and teaches rookies how to best utilize him and assistants Mark Smith, Kevin Domboski and Kyle Schimmoeller.
“If you’re just limping around, [coaches] think you stink and can’t make this team,” Tessendorf said. “But, if you’re slow due to an injury, the coaches get a report from me saying this guy is hurt and what we expect they can do. The coaches can then build that into their evaluation.”
Many of the team?s experienced players credit Tessendorf for their prolonged careers, including center Mike Flynn, who said he would not have been healthy enough to start at least 15 games in six of the past seven seasons without Tessendorf?s help.
“At this point they know what I’m all about and you want to give the benefit of the doubt in telling them every injury you have,” Flynn said. “It’s not something where you want to hide an injury because you’re afraid of getting cut. It doesn’t work like that here.”
Ravens coach Brian Billick said communicating with the training staff is vital, especially when temperatures reach 100 degrees, which has happened numerous times during training camp.
“The trainers do a great job,” Billick said. “Bill keeps me aware. They check with me every practice and talk about how many water breaks we need and when we might take them, and I am certainly going to adjust my practice.”
Tessendorf said the key to his success has been earning the trust of the team?s veteran players, which gives him credibility with younger players, especially rookies.
“We’ve cultivated a leadership among all the players,” Tessendorf said. “I can talk to them all I want, but when a Steve McNair or a Ray Lewis comes up to them and says you need to do this. Then, they see Ray and Steve in the ice tub, they understandwhat they need to do
