There’s a lot going on off the field for the Washington Football Team. The investigation into the team’s toxic workplace culture and the emails that are leaking from it have overtaken the focus surrounding the team.
Then the debacle handling the announcement of Sean Taylor’s jersey retiring has added fuel to the fire. But there’s another fire that’s been flaming the past couple of weeks, the investigation into head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion.
Washington placed Vermillion on administrative leave after DEA agents raided the team’s practice facility in Loudon County, Virginia and his home nearby. The investigation stems from the distribution of prescription drugs.
On Friday, Washington Football Team head coach Ron Rivera was asked his thoughts on the trainer’s investigation and situation.
“The hard part is just not knowing,” Rivera said per Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. “Not knowing what it’s all about, and that’s the hard part. Because, I don’t know, maybe I could give some insight. But apparently we;ll just wait and see what happens.”
Vermillion spent 18 years with the Carolina Panthers, nine with Rivera, who was the head coach of the Panthers at the time. Vermillion followed Rivera to Washington in 2020.
Washington also placed assistant athletic trainer Doug Quon on leave shortly following the search by the DEA.
The team has turned to old help in the absence of Vermillion and Quon. Former longtime trainer Bubba Tyer has lent a hand. Washington has also brought back a couple of interns who previously worked with the team.
