The New York Giants have officially welcomed a legendary figure into their prestigious Ring of Honor — Ronnie Barnes, a cornerstone of the organization for nearly five decades. Barnes, who began his tenure with the Giants in 1976 and became head athletic trainer in 1980, has played an instrumental role in shaping the health, safety, and culture of the team for 47 seasons.
Promoted to Vice President of Medical Services in 2003 and later to Senior Vice President in 2011, Barnes has counseled and cared for countless Giants players, coaches, and staff. His deep commitment to player well-being and his leadership behind the scenes have earned him universal respect across the NFL.
Barnes’ legacy extends beyond the field. A graduate of East Carolina University (ECU), he was the first African American graduate of the school’s Sports Medicine Department. In recognition of his contributions, ECU opened the Ronnie Barnes African American Resource Center at the Joyner Library — a 5,200-square-foot facility dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture in eastern North Carolina and beyond.
Over the years, Barnes has earned a long list of accolades:
- Inducted into the East Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame and recipient of the university’s Outstanding Alumni Award
- Inducted into the Fike High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2004)
- Honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Fritz Pollard Alliance in 2019
- Inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame (2024)
As an athletic trainer, Barnes has received some of the profession’s highest honors:
- Two-time National Professional Trainer of the Year (National Athletic Trainers Association)
- Ed Block Courage Award recipient alongside his staff for NFL Athletic Training Staff of the Year (1999)
- Recipient of the NATA Most Distinguished Athletic Trainer Award (1996)
He also served in leadership roles across the industry, including:
- President of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Society
- Member of the NFL Subcommittee on Mild Brain Trauma
- Past president of the NATA Research and Education Foundation
In addition to his athletic training accomplishments, Barnes is a respected voice in sports medicine. He has lectured around the world and co-authored the influential textbook Athletic Training and Sports Medicine. In 1994, he was named March of Dimes Man of the Year. Today, he continues to contribute as a member of the Hospital for Special Surgery Board of Advisors.
The induction of Ronnie Barnes into the Giants Ring of Honor not only celebrates his immense contributions to the franchise but also cements his status as a trailblazer and leader in sports medicine, diversity, and athletic excellence.
