His work is done behind the scenes, however, Thursday allowed him to grab center stage attention for his efforts with the University of Alabama football program last season.
Jeff Allen has been the director of sports medicine and head athletic trainer for the Crimson Tide since joining Nick Saban in 2007. He has been a part of five national championships, but none more valuable than what he witnessed in 2017.
Allen and his staff put in overtime as the team’s medical doctors helped Alabama overcome a multitude of injuries on its journey to defeating the University of Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for its 17th national title.
For his work in getting Da’Shawn Hand, Christian Miller, Terrell Lewis, Anfernee Jennings and Mack Wilson among others up to speed for the biggest moment of the season, Allen was awarded National Athletic Trainer of the Year from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association.
Congrats @makennahsdad on being named @NATA1950 Head Athletic Trainer of the Year #ReBuiltByBama #RollTide pic.twitter.com/VqkS1Zny63
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) March 29, 2018
While it originated in 1950, NATA is the professional membership association for athletic trainers and others who support the profession. Along with assisting players in the program, Allen has done a great job of helping draft-eligible guys get healthy for the next level.
Former standouts like Kenyan Drake and Eddie Jackson sustained critical injuries at Alabama, but it was Allen and his staff that guided both through surgery and rehab as they are now starters in the National Football League. Linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton suffered a season-ending knee injury against LSU in 2017.
Allen has been with the Montgomery (Ala.) native throughout the process and expects big production from any franchise that choses to take the quiet leader.
During the College Football Playoff, the Tide’s defense was able to shut down Clemson’s and Georgia’s offense (second half). Much of that was the media finally seeing what a healthy Alabama unit looks like and what could have been the entire year, if mishaps didn’t happen.
Like Saban, Allen enters his 12th season with the team in the fall.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
