Hall of Fame honors 15 at Awards of Excellence program

Since the opening of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963, summer in Canton, Ohio, has meant celebrating those who made significant contributions to the game of football. This August, five former players will receive football’s highest honor: DREW BREES, ROGER CRAIG, LARRY FITZGERALD, LUKE KUECHLY and ADAM VINATIERI.

But what about those individuals whose exemplary work in the sport too often goes unseen or underappreciated? How are those who work behind the scenes honored?

In 2022, the Pro Football Hall of Fame began a new tradition, creating its Awards of Excellence program to recognize the exceptional work of those beyond the playing field. Over the past five years, at least 15 former individuals who worked as Assistant Coaches, Athletic Trainers, Equipment Managers, Video/Film Directors or Public Relations Directors have been acclaimed annually for their dedication and service to the game.

On June 24, the names of those in the Class of 2026 officially were unveiled on the Awards of Excellence plaques inside the Nash Family Event and Conference Center at the Hall. The following day, each honoree (or his representative) received a trophy presented by Hall of Famer DAN FOUTS, emcee of the luncheon event that drew a crowd of nearly 400 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in downtown Canton.

Hall of Famers LeROY BUTLER, BRUCE SMITH, DICK VEMEIL and RON WOLF also returned to Canton to celebrate the individuals honored this week.

Assistant Coaches

The assistant coach honorees included Ted Cottrell, Bobb McKittrick and Mike Westhoff. Cottrell spent 24 seasons in the NFL, most notably on the Buffalo Bills’ defensive staff. He coached Smith and in 2009 presented him for enshrinement.

McKittrick, an offensive line coach, is one of only four 49ers coaches who boasts all five of San Francisco’s Super Bowl rings.

Westhoff spent 33 seasons in the NFL and led the special teams effort for the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins among his NFL stops.

Athletic Trainers

The athletic trainers honored included Eddie “Abe” Abramoski, Kent Falb and Michael Ryan.

Abramoski served as the Buffalo Bills’ head athletic trainer for 36 seasons and was a cornerstone of the franchise, joining Buffalo at the team’s inception in 1960. Falb, logging more than 40 seasons in collegiate and professional sports, worked 33 seasons as the Detroit Lions’ head athletic trainer and was inducted to the National Trainers’ Association in 1999.

Ryan, a member of the New York Giants Super Bowl-winning staff in 1990, worked as the Jacksonville Jaguars’ head athletic trainer from the team’s inception in 1994 through the 2013 season. He currently works as a sports medicine analyst for NBC’s “Sunday Night Football.”

“It made me cry,” Ryan said of the plaque unveilings. “To get this kind of recognition for that kind of award, it doesn’t get any better.”

Equipment Managers

The Green Bay Packers boasted two award winners in the equipment managers category: Red Batty and Jack Noel. The category was rounded out by former Kansas City Chiefs equipment manager, Mike Davidson, a native of nearby Mentor, Ohio.

Batty worked on the staffs of two Super Bowl champions in Green Bay and led the equipment operations for 22 playoff trips, 15 division titles and three NFC titles.

Noel worked with the Packers for over 30 years, supporting Hall of Famers BART STARR and FORREST GREGG. He also brought homemade lunches, prepared by his wife, for the players and staff on their ride home and was admired throughout the Packers organization.

Hall of Famer LeRoy Butler, who spent his entire 12-year career in Green Bay, spoke on the impact both of the equipment managers had on him.

“Red Batty was a different level,” Butler said. “One day, it was raining and my jersey was soaking wet. At halftime, I had a fresh jersey."

“With Jack Noel and his brother, Bob, they were amazing,” Butler said. “They treated me the same as the vet who had been there for 10 years. That kind of impact is the reason why I came here today to show their families how much I loved them.”

Honoree Mike Davidson worked alongside 23 future Hall of Famers, including linebacker DERRICK THOMAS, and contributed to the first Equipment Managers’ Certification Manual.

Video/Film Directors

This category’s honorees included Robert Blackwell, Nate Fine and Jim Pons.

Blackwell was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Dallas Cowboys and played a critical role in the team’s video operations. Fine spent over five decades working in the NFL, dating back to 1937, and documented the achievements of Hall of Fame coaches VINCE LOMBARDI, GEORGE ALLEN and JOE GIBBS.

Pons spent most of his career with the New York Jets, where he was the film and video director for over 25 years. At Wednesday’s reception, Pon’s reflected on receiving this award, calling it “one of the great achievements in my life.”

Public Relations Directors

The PR directors recognized this year were Scott Berchtold, Jim Gallagher and Lee Remmel.

Berchtold is an experienced sports communications professional, having worked as the NFL’s “PR captain” for 12 Super Bowls. He spent over 50 years in the league, including 34 years with the Buffalo Bills.

“It’s extremely humbling, but you’re so honored,” Berchtold said after the plaques were unveiled. “I was a kid from central Illinois, and I dreamed of being in the NFL. To see your name up there… it’s just great.”

Gallagher was a part of two Super Bowls with the Philadelphia Eagles and served in a variety of different departments with the franchise – sales and alumni relations – in addition to public relations.

Remmel’s association with the Packers started at the Green Bay Press-Gazette before he eventually became the public relations director for the Packers.

“[He was] probably the most impactful person,” Butler said. “I didn’t know how to deal with the media because coming from Florida State… we didn’t really talk to the media. He was fantastic.”

Dave Boss Photo of the Year

Also honored during Thursday’s celebration was 2026 Dave Boss Photo of the Year winner, Kyle Terada.

A photographer with Imagn Images, Terada captured San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle diving for the pylon during a Week 10 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

Appropriately titled “George Kittle TD,” the image will be placed on display inside the Pro Football Hall of Fame & Museum.

Andy Caron, a student at the University of Notre Dame, is a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Communications Team this summer.