Members
Inductee
MAYER, DR. THOM
MAYER, DR. THOM
Born on August 18, 1951
Fairfield, Illinois
Inducted On
June 17, 2022
Location Inducted
Anderson, Indiana
Region Number
5
Anderson High School
Merit - Team Physician
Anderson High School
1969
In football, Thom was a North Central Conference All-Conference Honorable Mention selection in 1969 as well as All-Madison County. He was All-Conference in wrestling and baseball, as well.
Hanover College and Duke University Medical School
B.A., M.D.
1973, 1978
While at Hanover, Dr. Thom was a Hoosier College Conference All-Conference Linebacker in 1970-71. He was elected to the Hanover College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2015. He was a Defensive Captain his sophomore year and led the team in tackles and interceptions. He was an Offensive Captain his junior year. Following his senior season, Thom was selected to attend a free agency camp for the Vikings and Bears and was offered a contract from the Chicago Bears. He chose, however, to attend Duke University Medical School.
His honors and awards are many, including The Duke Alumni Achievement Award (2010), James A. Hamilton Award for Healthcare Leadership (2008), James D. Mills Outstanding Contribution to Emergency Medicine Award (2018), Over the Top Award (4 times), He recently traveled to Ukraine, where he spent time as a battlefield physician. He has published countless articles. Currently, he is the Medical Director of the NFL Players Association, a member of the NFL Injury and Safety Panel, member of the NFL Foot and Ankle Committee, member of the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee, Co-Chair of the NFL Mackey-White Health and Safety Committee, and the Team Physician for the Potomac School football and lacrosse teams.
Dr. Thom and his wife, Maureen have three children, Joshua, Kevin and Gregory.
In the role of Medical Director for the NFL Players Association, which was assumed following the death of Korey Stringer of the Vikings, Thom has affected the entire fabric of how athletes at all levels are cared for, including overseeing all medical care for NFL athletes, development implementation and monitoring of heat and acclimatization of standards from the NCAA, the NATA, and all sports medicine organizations. He has developed, wrote and demanded the NFL implement Concussion Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of NFL athletes. Dr. Thom has worked with the NFL Competition Committee and NFL Medical Committees, as well as NFL owners on all medical issues, including rules and equipment changes. He is responsible for monitoring compliance of NFL physicians with all health and safety protocols, especially concussion management, and the education of all NFL players and their families regarding health and safety issues.
