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The role of an athletic trainer goes beyond the sidelines

Eric Griffin was a typical mixed martial arts athlete until he received unexpected news from his doctor.

The diagnosis of degenerative disk disease didn’t have to be the end of his MMA career. But after learning more from his doctor, he ended up quitting the sport he grew up loving.

Chris Walsh | Courtesy

Griffin, now a first-year graduate assistant athletic trainer, said he began athletic training in college with the goal of preventing athletes from quitting a sport they loved.

“I don’t want injuries to be the reason why (athletes) have to stop playing the sport that they love,” Griffin said.