Henry Ford Health System issued the following announcement on Sept. 10.
As Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn addressed the news media ahead of players reporting to training camp in July, he detailed the team’s plans to make the practice facility safe during the coronavirus pandemic. As part of those plans, Quinn announced that Henry Ford Sports Medicine athletic trainer Matt Barnes had been tabbed to help quarterback that drive.
“It was actually flattering. I didn’t even know that he (Quinn) mentioned me in the press conference,” said Barnes, one of more than 30 Henry Ford athletic trainers who support sports programs at over 20 high schools, colleges, universities in the tri-county area, and also the Lions and Detroit Pistons. “Anytime the team mentions anything publicly about me I usually find out through my mom.”
In April, the Lions formed internal committees to tackle all the safety protocols needed at their training facility. Barnes, who is the assistant athletic trainer for the team, was appointed Infection Control Officer and named to the team’s Return to Work Committee and to the Infection Response Team. Barnes is entering his fourth season with the Lions.
For Barnes, keeping the players safe throughout training camp has been Job 1.
“Lions’ head athletic trainer Dave Granito and the head team physician asked me to take on the new role of infection control officer particularly because of my affiliation and experience with Henry Ford Hospital,” said Barnes. “They said ‘We want you to run with this position and make it whatever we need it to be.’”
Barnes appreciates the importance of his new role but is quick to remind anyone that making the team’s training facility safe for players has truly been a team effort that also includes Henry Ford Sports Medicine Orthopedic and Infectious Disease physicians Michael Workings, M.D., Bradley Jaskulka, M.D., Kevin Whitlow, M.D., Eric Makhni, M.D. and Geehan Suleyman, M.D.
Original source can be found here.
Source: Henry Ford Health System
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