Former Ravens head athletic coach Bill Tessendorf will obtain the 2024 Award of Excellence, the Pro Football Hall of Fame introduced Wednesday.
Tessendorf turns into the third former Raven to obtain this distinguished recognition. In 2022, former gear supervisor Ed Carroll was half of the inaugural class of contributors honored with the Award of Excellence. In 2022, former Executive Vice President of Public and Community Relations Kevin Byrne additionally earned the award.
Beginning his NFL coaching profession with the Cleveland Browns in 1973, Tessendorf moved with the franchise to Baltimore in 1996 and remained with the Ravens till his retirement following the 2010 season.
“Bill was a coach after I performed for the Browns, and the quantity of care and a focus he gave to me and the opposite gamers was second to none,” Ravens Executive Vice President Ozzie Newsome said. “When I retired and went into teaching and scouting, I might at all times rely on Bill when it got here to medical info on gamers or their availability to have the ability to follow or play. I had so much of confidence and belief in what he would inform me.
“Upon turning into the pinnacle of personnel, having had that historical past with Bill, there was so much of consolation for me to know that any time I went all the way down to that coaching room, the knowledge I acquired from him was so credible. Bill was a tireless employee and had many various abilities aside from within the coaching room – he really helped design this follow facility we’re in. He had so much of distinctive abilities that made an influence on our group, and I’m so proud that Bill is being acknowledged in Canton.”
Tessendorf was typically acknowledged for his excellent work throughout his 38-year NFL profession. In 1998 he gained the National Athletic Trainers Association’s Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award. In 2009 he gained the NFL Physician Society’s Fain Cain Memorial Award, given to the league’s most excellent coach of the yr.
“You’ve bought to be a folks particular person on this enterprise,” Tessendorf stated when retiring in 2011. “I’ve gotten to work with some Hall of Famers and a few soon-to-be Hall of Famers once they resolve to retire. There’s been so much of guys who at the moment are head coaches. They’re all particular folks to me.”
During his lengthy tenure, Tessendorf was revered all through the group for his professionalism and persona.
“Congratulations to ‘Bill T’ for his well-deserved Hall of Fame recognition,” Ravens chief medical officer Dr. Andrew Tucker added. “Bill was the consummate skilled and a person of nice integrity. He was devoted, tireless, a selfless servant, and a talented and educated athletic coach whose contributions to the Ravens far exceeded his athletic coaching place. Bill is actually one of the ‘GOATs’ in our career. Further, he has a Hall of Fame spouse, Nan, who supported him all alongside the best way. Congratulations to Bill, Nan and their daughter, Amy.”
Tessendorf will probably be acknowledged by the Hall of Fame alongside the opposite 14 Award of Excellence recipients in Canton with a night reception on June 26 and a luncheon on June 27. The occasion will probably be emceed by Pro Football Hall of Famer Dan Fouts.
