With two days to go until the XFL finally kicks off we’ve been seeing a lot of announcements this week. Today is no different. The St. Louis BattleHawks have announced that SSM will serve as the team’s official medical provider.
SSM will provide medical services to BattleHawks’ players for training, game days and recovery. SSM Health and SLUCare professionals will serve as the team’s gameday medical staff and will be present on the sidelines to attend to players’ health needs.
The XFL has said they are focused on player safety, and this is another move that proves that goal. You can read the full press release below.
ST. LOUIS BATTLEHAWKS AND SSM HEALTH PARTNER TO ENHANCE ATHLETE CARE AND COMMUNITY HEALTH
ST. LOUIS, MO (February 6, 2020) – The XFL St. Louis BattleHawks and SSM Health announced today a new partnership designating SSM Health as the team’s official medical provider. SSM will provide medical services to BattleHawks’ players for training, game days and recovery. SSM Health and SLUCare professionals will serve as the team’s gameday medical staff and will be present on the sidelines to attend to players’ health needs.
Throughout the BattleHawks’ season, the team and SSM Health will partner on “commUNITY huSTLe Days,” engaging and serving the St. Louis community through volunteer programs and activities with players, coaches and staff from both organizations. Planned community initiatives include hospital visits, blood drives, military appreciation events and youth flag football games. CommUNITY huSTLe kicks off this Tuesday, Feb. 11 at Operation Food Search, a local hunger relief organization.
“SSM Health and SLUCare are leaders in healthcare, and our partnership ensures that BattleHawks’ players will receive first-class care and service,” said Kurt Hunzeker, president of the St. Louis BattleHawks. “In addition to providing player care, we wanted to create a meaningful platform as a way for our players, coaches and staff to connect with the St. Louis community beyond the football field. CommUNITY huSTLe represents the core of our organizations’ joint dedication to the St. Louis metro area.”
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital will serve as presenting sponsor of the “Recruit Squad,” the official BattleHawks kids’ club providing free and exclusive activities and events for kids and families year-round. In addition, SSM Health will sponsor the team’s weekly injury report and receive marketing and digital assets to help bring awareness to its mission – the “Healing Power of Presence.”
“SSM Health is excited to be part of bringing professional football back to St. Louis, and we’re pleased to provide medical care and certified athletic trainer support for the 2020 XFL season and beyond,” said Dr. Cody Bellard, SSM Health Sports Medicine physician. “The BattleHawks have already become a vibrant part of our region’s sports community, and we know even greater things are ahead.”
Nationally renowned sports orthopedist Dr. George Paletta will serve as medical director, in collaboration with SLUCare/SSM Health Sports Medicine specialists Dr. Bellard and Dr. Scott Kaar and a team of additional sports medicine physicians and certified athletic trainers. Dr. Jamil Neme will serve as head family medicine physician for the team.
SSM Health joins Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Select, Ameren and McDonald’s as BattleHawks’ founding partners for the team’s upcoming season.
The BattleHawks begin their season with two games on the road at the Dallas Renegades on Sunday, February 9 at 4pm CT on ESPN and at the Houston Renegades on Sunday, February 16 at 5pm CT on FS1. The team will return to St. Louis for its home opener versus the New York Guardians on Sunday, February 23 at 2pm CT at The Dome at America’s Center and broadcast on ESPN.
