MCCC Instructor Chris Watson Serves as NFL AT Spotter in London Game
Sports Medicine and Exercise Science instructor Chris Watson recently returned from a trip to London, where he had a front-row seat to the Cleveland Browns vs. Minnesota Vikings game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. But this was no ordinary vacation.
In addition to his teaching duties, Chris is in his ninth season working for the National Football League as an athletic trainer (AT) spotter. AT spotters monitor games from the press box to identify players who may have suffered head or neck injuries. They have the authority to stop the game and call for a medical timeout if a player appears disoriented or injured. Their primary role is to ensure player safety by quickly recognizing signs of concussion or other serious injuries.
Beyond his work with the NFL and in the classroom, Chris has also served as an athletic trainer for seven international competitions with USA Track & Field. His assignments have included events in Edinburgh, Scotland (January 2015), Punta Umbria, Spain (March 2011), Trinidad & Tobago (July 2009), Chiba, Japan (November 2008), and São Paulo, Brazil (July 2007).
Most recently, he completed a volunteer rotation at the Chula Vista U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center during the summer of 2023, working with Olympic-level athletes. He was also originally selected to serve as a staff athletic trainer for the 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although a smaller staff was ultimately chosen for the rescheduled games, Chris remains hopeful to support Team USA in future Olympic competitions.
In addition to his professional accomplishments, Chris is passionate about inspiring the next generation of athletic trainers and healthcare professionals. He looks forward to expanding the Sports Medicine and Exercise Science program at MCCC by providing students with more hands-on learning opportunities, exposure to real-world experiences, and connections to careers in sports medicine and athletic training at both the local and national levels.
