PELLA—Nate Weir, a 2005 Central College grad now serving as associate athletic trainer/director of rehab and return to play for the Green Bay Packers, was named the NFC recipient of the Tim Davey Assistant Athletic Trainer of the Year Award.
The award was announced by the Professional Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS).
Weir, a former Central men's soccer player and athletic training student, has worked for the Packers in various roles for 19 years. He was promoted to his current post prior to last season. He served as a summer athletic training intern for the Packers while he was a Central student in 2004, and was invited back as a season athletic training intern from 2005-07. Wier was then named an assistant athletic trainer. Since 2020, he has served as a consultant for the NFL's Musculoskeletal Committee – Foot and Ankle Task Force.
According to the Professional Athletic Trainer Society, the award is emblematic of the commitment, dedication and high level of integrity Davey brought to the athletic training profession "and is representative of his level of service which he dedicated to his surrounding community." Davey worked for the New York Jets for 33 years.
John Roslien, associate professor of kinesiology, was Central's head athletic trainer during Weir's undergraduate career.
"We're obviously proud of him," Roslien said. "He's the kind of person that recognizes opportunities and took advantage of them. He did that summer internship at Green Bay and he excelled there, so they invited him back and that's what led to his job."
Roslien said Weir was an eager student.
"I think he looked at every day he got to spend in the athletic training room as a challenge, that there was always something he could learn," he said.
Weir, who can often be spotted on NFL game telecasts on the sidelines, or assisting an injured player on the field, with his heavy beard, hooded sweatshirt and towel draped over his shoulder. But Roslien said Weir is unfazed by the glare of the national media spotlight on the game or the celebrity athletes he treats.
"He never talks about how big of a star any of those guys are, he always talks about the person," Roslien said. "He treats the person and not the millionaire quarterback or receiver or whatever it happens to be. And I think that's reflected in the long-term relationships that he has with these guys. I think every time I've been to Green Bay, there's always some former player coming to town to spend time with Nate. That's kind of cool."
An Olathe, Kansas native, Weir was a four-time letterwinner as a forward for the Dutch men's soccer squad. Longtime Central coach Garry Laidlaw saw the qualities that helped Weir excel in his career.
"He was one of those guys that came to (soccer) training every day, wanting to get better," Laidlaw said. "He was a goal-driven individual from the very beginning and it's no surprise that it's led to the successes he's enjoying now."
Green Bay Packers video tribute to Weir: https://twitter.com/CentralDutch/status/1638719999161368577?s=20
