Arizona Cardinals Honor Concussion Expert, Dr. Cardenas with Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award

Tempe, AZ – The Arizona Cardinals Football Club has selected Dr. Javier Cardenas, MD, the Director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center, as the recipient of the NFL’s Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award and honored him on Sunday, September 22 at their home game against the Carolina Panthers at State Farm Stadium.

The NFL and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) have partnered for the ninth annual NFL Hispanic Heritage Leadership Awards during the 2019 celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. The awards recognize the contributions of Hispanic leaders in each NFL market.

As part of the award, a $2,000 grant was presented to the Arizona Athletic Trainer Initiative (AzATA) on behalf of Dr. Cardenas. The mission of the AzATA is to promote and enhance the field of athletic training in its efforts and ability to service the overall health care needs of the athletic population. The grant money will be used to help fund athletic training programs in high schools throughout Arizona.

Dr. Cardenas is the director of the Barrow Concussion and Brain Injury Center while also providing sideline concussion coverage for the NFL, college football and high school football. He serves as the director of the Barrow Concussion Network, the most comprehensive statewide concussion education, prevention and treatment program in the country while also serving on the NFL’s Head, Neck & Spine Committee.

Dr. Cardenas is also part of the Sport Medical Advisory Committee of the National Federation of High Schools, chair of the Arizona Interscholastic Association Sport Medical Advisory Committee, and member of the Arizona Governor’s Council on Spinal and Head Injuries.

The Hispanic Heritage Foundation – a nonprofit established by the White House in 1987 – inspires, prepares, and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community, and workforce to meet America’s priorities.