Braeden Rideoutt grew up holding a football, wearing team gear and dreaming of a future in the NFL. But the Grand Canyon University athletic training senior never thought he’d bring that dream to life.
Over the summer, Rideoutt landed a much-coveted internship with the Arizona Cardinals, in which he not only taped athletes’ ankles, stocked equipment and set up for game day, but he strengthened his commitment to serve athletes beyond their physical needs during his eight weeks with the team.
Although Rideoutt did not have experience serving as an athletic trainer in football before his internship, his love for the sport gave him the drive to learn the ropes from Cardinals athletic trainers.
Before heading to college, Rideoutt aspired to play college football. But his athletic career was cut short by a knee injury in high school.
So he pivoted to athletic training with guidance from a counselor. Now, he is a part of the last group of students at GCU who will receive a bachelor's degree in athletic training as the program transitions to a master's program.
In addition to labs and coursework, athletic training includes a clinical component requiring at least 900 hours of hands-on experience that students gain in settings such as high schools, junior colleges, GCU clinics and professional teams. Many students exceed that requirement and graduate with over 1,000 hours.
For Rideoutt, the extensive clinical hours revealed the broader role of athletic training, showing him that serving athletes extends beyond physical care to support their personal, mental and spiritual needs.
“You’re not just working for yourself. You’re there to serve others,” Rideoutt said.
Through clinical hours at Alhambra High School, he improved his communication skills across language barriers, gained understanding of athletes' needs and strengthened his ability to build relationships with diverse individuals. The highlight of his time at Alhambra was the ability to aid the students there with their resume, homework, relationships and fashion. He became a role model for them.
Those experiences gave him a jump start in navigating the diverse environment in the NFL.
“One of the biggest things that Braeden had was cultural competence," Cardinals athletic trainer Dano Norceide Jr. said. "And you know, the guys gravitated towards him. He was very helpful. And he still comes around and helps us during home games, and the guys are happy to see him."
Michael McKenney, GCU associate professor in athletic training education, believes every clinical is crucial in shaping students' skills and is beyond grateful for the program's clinical partners. “They all contribute to our GCU students' development in preparation to go and impact the world and promote human flourishing for God's glory.”
McKenney supported Rideoutt throughout his internship and encouraged him to persevere and believe in himself. He visited Rideoutt during his internship and had the chance to speak with other students from across the country. He noted, it was evident the site was very competitive. “That says a lot about our program,” McKenney said.
“It's an honor for us to have one of our students chosen to train there,” McKenney said of the high-profile Cardinals site. “The goal of the AT program is to develop quality decision-makers and reflective practitioners, and that is what sets GCU's program apart from other colleges. Braeden is a great example of that.”
Rideoutt said a clinical placement in fall 2023 at GCU's Lopes Orthopedic Clinic, where students, faculty and staff with musculoskeletal injuries receive treatment, was pivotal in helping him land his internship with the Cardinals.
He worked alongside an experienced preceptor at the clinic who was connected to the Cardinals' head athletic trainer. The preceptor gave him a strong recommendation. McKenney notes that Rideoutt's preceptor, “recognized his work ethic, his commitment to his own learning and his humble service toward others.”
Rideoutt said additional preceptors who advocated on his behalf made him stand out in a competitive selection process.
In September 2023, the long seven-month application process began. It is very competitive with 3,000 applicants competing for 25 internship spots.
"The phone went dry for a time. I didn’t hear anything for four months,” Rideoutt said, recalling the anticipation before he received his acceptance call. It was a tough decision, but he walked away from his resident assistant scholarship so he could work with the Cardinals. “I really had to bet on myself and believe in myself."
Although Rideoutt put in the work to gain the internship, McKenney said his character also brought him success. “He treats every day like it's a potential job interview, and he treats the least of them with the same dignity and respect,” he said.
Every day of the internship was intense. Rideoutt started at 5 a.m. and worked until 11 p.m., handling everything from clinic duties with athletes to field support, inventory management and transporting equipment.
“It was like drinking out of a firehose,” he said.
Interns were expected to have experience and start working with little explanation. Rideoutt relied on a lot of mentorship and guidance, since he never worked in the football arena. He quickly discovered his strengths and weaknesses, applying his strong suits and refining his weaknesses.
“It was an honor and pleasure to work with Braeden,” Norceide said. “He didn't make the same mistakes twice. Even if he didn't know something, he wasn't reluctant to try it. And then he understood the feedback. He understood positive criticism. He didn't fold under pressure.”
The day-to-day work varied based on the team’s needs, especially during preseason and training camps. Some days were spent entirely in the clinic, working directly with athletes, while others involved a combination of clinic and fieldwork.
Tasks could vary from organizing stock and managing inventory to packing travel trucks, preparing equipment and handling deliveries. He also taped ankles and managed hydration on the sidelines. Rideout's responsibilities tested both his endurance and his adaptability.
Though there were many challenges, Rideoutt was not fazed. He enjoyed the very low margin for error and collaborating quickly with others.
“Decisions have to be made, they have to be made right, and they have to be made promptly,” Rideoutt said.
His dedication and adaptability impressed the Cardinals, who invited him to continue supporting their athletic trainers during games while completing his studies.
The opportunity sets him up toward his dream of becoming a head athletic trainer in the NFL after he graduates in spring 2025.
His experience taught him how to put patients first by gathering information from the athletes and making decisions based on evidence, the patient’s beliefs and background to customize the next steps of patient care effectively and efficiently.
Most of all, Rideoutt gained valuable relationships and discovered the impact he has on athletes. “We are more than people who tape ankles, we are a great resource who support athletes.”
GCU student writer Leandra Lepp can be reached at [email protected].
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