The senior staff member of the Washington Redskins organization, Bubba Tyer, enjoyed more than 30 years with the team, including 24 years as head athletic trainer. One of the most respected trainers in the National Football League and a pioneer in his field, Tyer was an integral part of all five Redskins Super Bowl teams and three Super Bowl championship seasons (XVII, XXII, and XXVI). Known for his professionalism, deep medical knowledge, and ability to earn players’ trust, he became one of the most enduring and admired figures in Washington football history.

 

A native of Texas and a graduate of Lamar University in Beaumont, Tyer began his athletic training career with the United States Marine Corps at Quantico, Virginia, where he served as head trainer for the Corps’ varsity sports program from 1968 to 1971. That same year, he joined legendary head coach George Allen’s inaugural staff with the Redskins, launching what would become a distinguished NFL career spanning more than three decades. Over that time, Tyer worked under five head coaches — George Allen, Joe Gibbs, Jack Pardee, Richie Petitbon, and Norv Turner — and became one of the franchise’s most consistent and reliable figures through multiple eras of success.

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During his tenure, Tyer oversaw the health, conditioning, and rehabilitation of some of the most iconic players in team history, including John Riggins, Art Monk, Joe Theismann, Darrell Green, and Dexter Manley. He gained a reputation across the league for his meticulous care and ability to help athletes recover quickly and safely from injury — long before modern sports medicine technologies became common. Tyer’s expertise was especially evident during the team’s 1980s dynasty years under Joe Gibbs, when his training methods helped maintain the health and longevity of key players during multiple deep playoff runs.

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Beyond his on-field work, Tyer has been an influential leader in advancing the standards of athletic training throughout professional football. He served as president of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society (PFATS) and sat on the NFL Committee on Drugs of Abuse, where he helped shape league policy on player health and wellness. Known for his integrity and advocacy for athlete safety, he mentored a generation of trainers who went on to work across the NFL and collegiate levels.

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An avid golfer, Tyer experienced every golfer’s dream when he had the rare opportunity to play Augusta National Golf Club in 1993. He and his wife, Cathy, have one daughter, Ashley, who attended Virginia Tech. The Tyer family has long resided in Herndon, Virginia, where Bubba has remained active in community and charity events supporting youth athletics and sports medicine education.