In this oral history interview Ronnie Barnes speaks primarily about his experience as a student at East carolina University. He also discusses his childhood, career with the New York Giants football team, and accomplishments.
Ronnie Barnes, a North Carolina native from Wilson, was the first African American to graduate from ECU's Sports Medicine Program in 1975. He started with the New York Giants as an intern in 1976 and is currently the Senior Vice President of Medical Services/Head Athletic Trainer. In 2022, he was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the New York Giants Ring of Honor. Additional honors Barnes has received in his 48 years with the Giants include the Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award from the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine in 2020 and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Fritz Pollard Alliance. He was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and was twice named the National Professional Trainer of the Year by the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA). Barnes and his team were recipients of the prestigious Ed Block Courage Award as the NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year in 1999 and 2023. In 2022, he was enshrined into the New York Giants Ring of Honor. Barnes has contributed to his field of work and the community by serving on various boards including a seat on the NATA board of certification and assuming the presidency of the NATA Research and Education Foundation. He is a member of the NFL subcommittee on mild brain trauma and completed a seven-year tenure as president of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society. He serves on the Hospital for Special Surgery Board of Advisors, the NFL Player Care Foundation Board of Trustees, American Board of Family Medicine, Sports Medicine Advisory Board, and the Touro School of Medicine Health Advisory Board.
In this oral history interview Ronnie Barnes speaks primarily about his experience as a student at East carolina University. He also discusses his childhood, career with the New York Giants football team, and accomplishments.
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