By Laurel White
UW–Madison’s Athletic Training program, housed in the School of Education’s Department of Kinesiology, recently marked a quarter century of accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). In the summer 2025 issue of Learning Connections, UW–Madison alumni working as athletic trainers at the highest levels of professional sports shared their insights, experiences, and advice.
The 2024 season marked 32 years of working in the NFL for Geoff Kaplan, the executive director of player health for the Houston Texans. During his career, Kaplan has supported the health and well-being of many standout players, including Wisconsin’s own J.J. Watt.
What has changed most in the league since you started?
It’s hard to say one thing. The way we take care of players has a more proactive approach, the players in general are much more in tune and well-educated about their bodies, and the demands have changed a lot. When I first got into the league, there wasn’t as much emphasis placed on year-round development and year-round treatment. The occupational hazard of playing hasn’t changed, but the game has become safer over time with footwear and helmet technology. That’s a huge advancement.
What kind of relationship do you have with players and coaches?
I get to know the coaches really well. We’re usually their first point of contact for any type of illness or injury for themselves or their families. A lot of coaches have moved around a lot, so they don’t have established health care, so my team helps with that. For players, we see players at the highest of highs and lowest of lows. You’ve got to learn the player as a person, and you have to have the emotional intelligence to navigate the waters.
You worked for years with UW–Madison alum J.J. Watt. Did you two connect over your shared Badger history?
J.J. and I had a deep, meaningful connection, and had an instant connection because of our experiences at UW. He also had multiple significant injuries and I was part of the team that supported him from his first day until his last day. One thing about J.J. is that what you see on the outside is what’s on the inside. He’s a hell of a man, a hell of a person. He’s never forgotten his roots. Everything that people see and hear is true.
What has been your most memorable experience at work?
I’ve worked with players who have had terrible injuries and terrible rehab and they’ve gotten back in the game. I had one guy score a touchdown and run over and give me the ball.
You’ve also worked with DeAndre Hopkins, Andre Johnson, and Arian Foster. What’s it like working with players who get so much attention and pressure to succeed?
You have to realize that for these guys, football is who they are for so many years. Football is so ingrained into everything they are, and their careers, their livelihoods can change or be in jeopardy in a snap. You have to take a lot of things into account and bring the human aspect into it.
What should aspiring athletic trainers know about working in professional sports?
Sports are played on nights, weekends, and holidays, so that’s when you’re going to work. You have to be mentally prepared for that and accept that as a lifestyle. In the football season, we work 80-90 hours a week, seven days a week. You can’t be afraid of the work and you can’t get into the business for the glory of game day.
Related: Q&A: UW–Madison alum Carlos Bustamante shares his journey to athletic training for NBA stars