Commanders hire Al Bellamy as head trainer after Ryan Vermillion placed on leave

Was the Washington Commanders‘ comeback win over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 4 the high point of last season? Who could forget Taylor Heinicke’s magician-like scramble and JD McKissic’s majestic end zone leap in the final minute?

If the victory was 2021’s pinnacle, however, it didn’t last very long.

Days after the win, head trainer Ryan Vermillion was placed on leave after the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) raided his house and Washington’s practice facility amid an investigation into the distribution of prescription drugs.

Vermillion currently isn’t facing any criminal charges, but the investigation all but confirmed the end of his run with the franchise.

Under pressure to nail their next hire, the Commanders conducted an extensive search to find Vermillion’s replacement. According to an announcement from the team, that wide-ranging quest came to an end on Monday.

Al Bellamy will be Washington’s new head athletic trainer.

The Commanders hired Al Bellamy as their head athletic trainer.

Ron Rivera released the following statement on Bellamy’s appointment.

"I am excited to welcome Al Bellamy back to Washington. His experience and professionalism are both traits that we were looking for when making this hire. I’m looking forward to working with Al here in Washington and I know his knowledge and expertise will be invaluable for our players and coaches."

Much like the team’s lone two outside free agent signings, Bellamy has previous ties to Washington. He previously worked with the club starting in 1988 as an assistant trainer and stayed on for 13 years. In addition, he was part of Washington’s medical staff when the team won Super Bowl XXVI in 1991.

Overall, Bellamy has 24 years of NFL experience. Before assisting Washington, he worked in Detroit with current Commanders GM Martin Mayhew. Again, the connection narrative reigns surpreme. With the Lions, Bellamy helped managed the training staff and consulted with the team’s physicians.

After building a reputation in the NFL, Bellamy left the NFL for Temple, where he’s spent the last nine years as the director of athletic training. Though Bellamy worked directly with the Owls’ football program, he oversaw 19 of the school’s  sports and managed the sports medicine staff, per the Commanders team website.

Having worked with Mayhew before, the Commanders general manager gave Bellamy a rave review in the same release, calling him one of “the finest men I’ve had the privilege of working with” and a “true professional and one of the most well-respect men in his field.”

Bellamy, as you could imagine, is ready to hit the ground running.

"“My family and I are extremely excited for this opportunity to join the Washington Commanders as its head athletic trainer,” said Bellamy. “I’m thankful and humbled by the responsibility that Coach Rivera and the organization have bestowed upon me.”"

Safe to say the feeling is mutual amongst fans. We can all speak to the fact that Washington was devastated by injuries last season, so it’s encouraging to know an individual with Bellamy’s resume is taking over as the head athletic trainer.

With offseason workouts getting underway on Monday, it was fitting to announce his appointment on the same day.