Voices Ringing Blog /

Earning a spot in the Super Bowl takes more than having talented players and smart coaches, and Dan Willen ‘94 has played a crucial role in keeping the Cincinnati Bengals healthy and on the field after a 20 game season.

As the Bengals’ Assistant Head Athletic Trainer, Willen helps guide a staff that makes sure every medical need of the team is met.  Managing smaller injuries to players on the active roster, supplying proper hydration throughout practice, stretching, and developing stretching routines are just part of Willen’s 12-hour days when the team prepares and competes in games.

“It’s a team approach.  It’s not just the athletic trainers; our strength coaches are very good with how we approach practice,” Willen said. “Coach [Zac] Taylor has done an awesome job with how we structure practices.  All those things help gauge the health and wellness of our team, how we approach different weeks, and how we go easier or harder [in practice].  I’m very happy that we’ve been able to be as healthy as we’ve been.”

Being on the sidelines each step of the way during the Bengals’ unexpected run to Super Bowl LVI has been a career highlight for Willen, a lifelong fan and former season ticket holder of the team.  The memories of the Bengals’ last Super Bowl appearance and playoff win came back after the team’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the wildcard round.  Willen said his phone was full of text messages and social media notifications after the thrilling victory.  After the anxiety in the build up to that game was relieved with a win, Willen says the team has embraced the growing spotlight.

“I’m on the sidelines every game, and I’m sure I looked like an idiot running onto the field at the end [of the Raiders game].  We’re playing with house money, we’ve got a good team, and I think we can beat anybody right now.  The game is going to come down to a couple of plays, and hopefully, we’re on the right side of them.”

Health has been one of the biggest differences from the 2020 season for the Bengals in Willen’s eyes.  Injuries to key players, especially quarterback Joe Burrow, derailed the teams’ season a year ago.  Helping the Bengals’ star through his rehab journey had a different feeling than most of the other athletes Willen has worked with throughout his career.

“You help guide the player and make decisions to progress him.  The way [Joe] approaches practices and games with his work ethic, that’s where you’re going to get a lot of successful outcomes.  Having that internal motivation to get healthy and do the right things.  He surrounded himself with a lot of good people that gave him good advice and pointed him in the right direction.  That’s rewarding to see.  Every athlete wants to get back to play, but he has a unique drive that’s superior to a lot of other players.”

Willen knows just how important athletic trainers are to an athlete dealing with injuries.  He sustained an ankle injury during the Cross Country Regional Championship of his junior year at Carroll.  Thanks to the dedication of and care of Carroll’s athletic trainers, Willen was able to join his teammates in the State Championship race the very next week.

“That’s what I really enjoy about the athletic training experience.  You take someone from where they really cannot perform, and you get them back on the field.  Seeing that progression is the most rewarding aspect of this profession.  Being exposed to that at Carroll is a fond memory.

His time as a student and member of the cross country team at Carroll helped Willen prepare for success after high school.

“The faith-based aspect of Carroll is important, and I pride myself on that.  The closeness and experiences I had as a member of the cross country team helped me surround myself with people who would go on to be leaders and strive for excellence.  The education prepared me very well for college, helped get me where I am today, and I have a lot of fond memories from school events and volunteer outreach projects.  All those things were important.”