The Pro Football Hall of Fame is honoring three former Buffalo Bills at the 2026 Awards of Excellence program: former Bills athletic trainer Ed Abramoski, former Bills assistant coach Ted Cottrell and former Bills vice president of communications Scott Berchtold.
Abramoski was the Bills' head athletic trainer for 36 seasons, joining the squad for its inaugural season in 1960. He was inducted into the National Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame in 1986. In Buffalo, specifically, Abramoski was honored on the team's Wall of Fame, earned the Buffalo Bills Alumni Association Appreciation Award in 1990 and 1994 and was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1996.
"Abramoski played an integral role in ensuring the team's health through their league-record four consecutive Super Bowl appearances," the Pro Football Hall of Fame published.
"An Erie, Pennsylvania, native, Abramoski began his career at the University of Detroit, where he became the youngest Division I head athletic trainer in the country. He worked part time for the Detroit Lions, and later full time at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, before being recruited by Buffalo in 1959. Players trusted Abramoski not only for his outstanding physical therapy expertise, but also for his care and compassion off the field."
Former Detroit Lions head athletic trainer Kent Falb and former Jacksonville Jaguars head athletic trainer Michael Ryan will also be recognized at the Awards of Excellence program in this category.
Cottrell began his coaching career in 1981 and first started as Buffalo's defensive line coach in 1986 through 1989. He returned to the Bills in 1995 as their linebackers coach for three seasons before being promoted to their defensive coordinator for the 1998-99 seasons.
In the back half of his first stint in Buffalo, Cottrell helped the Bills make their first playoff appearance in seven years, placing first in their division in 1988 and 1989. The former assistant and coordinator also saw Buffalo make four more playoff appearances when he came back to the Bills. Cottrell helped the team bounce back from a 6-10 season in 1997, putting it back in the playoffs while he was defensive coordinator for his final two years in Buffalo.
"In 24 NFL seasons spanning six franchises, Cottrell became an innovator of the 3-4 defense. Over tenures as a defensive line coach, linebackers coach and defensive coordinator, Cottrell mentored multiple Hall of Famers, including Bruce Smith, whom Cottrell presented at his enshrinement in 2009," the Pro Football Hall of Fame wrote.
"Cottrell 'was the one that helped me become a complete player,' said Smith, the NFL's all-time leader in career sacks with 200."
Former San Francisco 49ers offensive line coach Bobb McKittrick and former special teams coach Mike Westhoff will be honored alongside Cottrell.
The Awards of Excellence program recognizes assistant coaches, athletic trainers, equipment managers, film and video directors, and public relations directors. The Class of 2026 will be honored on June 24 and 25.
