The Buffalo Bills athletic training staff and equipment staff were both recognized in Orlando this week during the NFL's annual meeting.
The Bills athletic training staff was given the Ed Block Athletic Training Staff of the Year and the equipment staff was named the New Era AFC Equipment Staff of the Year. Both departments of the Bills staff showed exemplary work during the 2023 season.
"For us being honored and voted on by our peers, the other 31 athletic training staffs in the NFL. It's a huge, huge honor. It's probably one of the biggest honors that we can receive," Bills head athletic trainer Nate Breske said.
The award honors the attention to detail the Bills athletic training staff shows to players on a daily basis during the football season. Breske and his staff are on site at One Bills Drive first thing in the morning every day during the season to help Bills players through injuries or other ailments before practices and game days.
"In my opinion, we have the best staff in the league," said Breske, whose staff includes associate head athletic trainer Denny Kellington and assistant athletic trainers Marissa Figueroa and Tabani Richards.
"Our job is to get players prepared, get them through whatever they have to get through and get them ready for practice," Breske added.
Buffalo's athletic training staff has been recognized by the NFL on numerous occasions over the last year and this latest example is another testament to why dedicated athletic trainers are important for sports at all levels.
"A huge compliment to athletic trainers at large," Breske said. "Everything from youth sports to high school and collegiate up to professionals. Just what an importance athletic training professionals can have an impact on when you need it."
The Buffalo Bills equipment staff became just the second NFL team ever to be awarded the New Era Equipment Staff of the Year. Since 2015, New Era has been selecting the top equipment staff from the AFC & NFC. The Bills also took home the award in 2019 and have now joined the Packers as the only NFL teams to win twice.
"My staff does a really great job of making sure the players and everyone on the sideline has the right cap and the right gear," said director of equipment operations Jeff Mazurek.
Buffalo's equipment staff consists of Mazurek, Spencer Haws (assistant director of equipment operations), Kori Reblin (equipment assistant) and Austin Skobel (equipment assistant).
From Josh Allen's game day caps to Sean McDermott's sideline gear, Mazurek and his staff are always prepared to create a dynamic game day look for Bills players and staff members.
A point system used by New Era keeps track throughout the season of the correct caps and sideline gear worn by Bills players, coaches and staff members each week.
The Bills equipment staff stood out throughout the year for their cohesive use of New Era gear and caps. From Salute to Service initiatives to Crucial Catch, the Buffalo Bills were the benchmark for a uniform sideline look.
"It's a great honor," Mazurek said. "We all work together, everyone's on top of their roles and we're ready for whatever is thrown at us."
Follow the Buffalo Bills equipment staff as they prepare for, and travel to Chicago with the team for the final preseason game of the 2023 preseason.
Jeff Mazurek poses for a portrait in the equipment room.
Spencer Haws poses for a portrait in the equipment room.
Austin Skobel poses for a portrait in the equipment room.
Kori Reblin poses for a portrait in the equipment room.
An equipment trunk full of spare helmets prior to a final check for the truck to Chicago.
Director of Equipment Operations Jeff Mazurk puts Dion Dawkins' jersey onto his pads prior to packing for the trip.
Helmets wait for final touchups before the morning practice.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin puts a jersey on pads prior to packing.
Jeff Mazurek makes checks off the last pair of pads from his list.
Jeff Mazurek makes checks off the last pair of pads from his list.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin puts a jersey on pads prior to packing. The process involves using gatorade towels to stop the velcro from sticking to the jersey.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin puts a jersey on pads prior to packing. The process involves using old gatorade towels to stop the velcro from sticking to the jersey.
Shoulder pads lay on the table prior to having a jersey put on.
Jerseys hang from a rack as the equipment staff packs for the trip.
Shoulder pads lay on the table prior to having a jersey put on.
Helmets wait for final touchups before the morning walkthrough.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin puts a jersey on pads prior to packing. The process involves using old gatorade towels to stop the velcro from sticking to the jersey.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin assists Terrel Bernard (43) with a helmet tune up.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin assists Terrel Bernard (43) with a helmet tune up.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin assists Terrel Bernard (43) with a helmet tune up.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin assists Terrel Bernard (43) with a helmet tune up.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin assists Terrel Bernard (43) with a helmet tune up.
Completed jerseys are placed in a bin prior to packing in the players bags for the trip.
Equipment Assistant Kori Reblin places a finished shoulder pad in the bin prior to packing.
Athletic Trainers bins wait to be packed in the truck.
To keep everything safe during travel, trunks are often used when traveling.
Chris and Ray from Corrigan Moving begin loading the equipment truck prior to the trip to Chicago.
A view of an empty truck prior to packing.
Bags and trunks are meticulously placed and labeled to ensure items are not accidentally left in Buffalo.
Shoulder pads sit in a bin prior to being packed in players bags.
Chris from Corrigan Moving loads bags into the truck.
Chris and Ray from Corrigan Moving pack the truck with spare bags.
Chris and Ray pack the truck prior to leaving for Chicago.
"The key to packing a good truck is going high early. Start off high so you don't run into issues at the tail." - Chris
"The key to packing a good truck is going high early. Start off high so you don't run into issues at the tail." - Chris
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
Assistant Director of Equipment Operations Spencer Haws ensures nothing gets left behind.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
Assistant Director of Equipment Operations Spencer Haws ensures nothing gets left behind.
The equipment staff packs the truck to Chicago.
A view of the truck as it begins to fill up.
Jeff Mazurek looks on as the team finishes packing the truck.
Chris and Ray load the final items into the truck before closing up.
Chris and Ray finish loading the truck and prepare for the drive to Chicago.
Player numbers are placed on pregame clothes using a heat press.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Kori Reblin puts the finishing touches on all 90 helmets before the trip to Chicago.
Equipment Assistant Austin Skobel checks player lockers as the staff packs for the trip.
Shoulder pads are placed in plastic bags to avoid moisture from the plane from seeping in during travel.
Equipment bags are loaded onto the plane for the trip to Chicago.
Equipment bags are loaded onto the plane for the trip to Chicago.
Equipment bags are loaded onto the plane for the trip to Chicago.
Equipment bags are loaded onto the plane for the trip to Chicago.
Austin Skobel and Jeff Mazurek plan out the locker room seating chart and place stickers on stalls.
Austin Skobel and Jeff Mazurek plan out the locker room seating chart and place stickers on stalls.
The equipment staff plans out the locker room seating chart and place stickers on stalls.
The equipment staff plans out the locker room seating chart and place stickers on stalls.
The equipment staff plans out the locker room seating chart and place stickers on stalls.
Equipment bags are placed right outside the locker room to ensure players always have the extra equipment needed for the day.
Spencer Haws stocks the showers and bathrooms with hygiene products.
Eric Behan places pregame clothes in player lockers. All clothes are looped together with a strap marked with each players individual number.
Pregame clothes are looped together with a strap marked with each players individual number.
Pregame clothes are looped together with a strap marked with each players individual number.
Staff checks every item of clothing to make sure the correct sizes are in each stall.
Spencer Haws hands out items of clothing for staffers to distribute around the locker room.
Spencer Haws hands out items of clothing for staffers to distribute around the locker room.
Members of the equipment staff unload the truck from the plane.
Members of the equipment staff distribute player bags around the locker room.
Members of the equipment staff distribute player bags around the locker room.
Eli Ankou's pads are placed in his stall.
Jeff Mazurek takes a final walk around the field the night before the game.
Members of the equipment staff unload player bags into their stalls.
Members of the equipment staff unload player bags into their stalls.
Members of the equipment staff unload player bags into their stalls.
Jeff Mazurek places Bills signage around the away locker room.
Helmets rest on the side of the stalls.
A detailed view of a Buffalo Bills helmet from the locker room.
Pregame clothes are neatly placed on a players stall.
Stefon Diggs' jersey hangs from his stall.
Members of the equipment staff check lockers for consistency.
Shoes are placed in players stalls.
Jeff Mazurek, Austin Skobel, and Spencer Haws have a pregame meeting.
Members of the equipment staff do a final clean of helmets.
Members of the equipment staff do a final clean of helmets.
Members of the equipment staff do a final clean of helmets.
Members of the equipment staff do a final clean of helmets.
Austin Skobel ensures all balls are filled to match NFL regulations
Austin Skobel ensures all balls are filled to match NFL regulations
Buffalo Bills signage hangs on the walls in the visiting team locker room at Soldier field.
Members of the equipment staff do a final clean of helmets.
Members of the equipment staff do a final tightening of cleats.
Members of the equipment staff do a final tightening of cleats.
Spencer Haws grabs clothes from an equipment bag.
Jeff Mazurek places shoulder pads in a locker.
Austin Skobel carries QB balls onto the field for warm-ups.
Visors sit on an equipment trunk waiting to be placed on helmets.
Members of the equipment staff swap out tinted for clear visors after pregame warmups.
Members of the equipment staff swap out tinted for clear visors after pregame warmups.
Jeff Mazurek looks down the sideline during the game against the Chicago Bears.
Jeff Mazurek looks on during the game.
Jeff Mazurek assists Alec Anderson with a tear on the thigh of his pants.
Austin Skobel hands Kyle Allen (9) a football as he warms-up on the sideline against the Chicago Bears.
Austin Skobel places helmets near the end of the game.
