NASHVILLE – Todd Toriscelli had dreams of playing college football, and one day being a high school coach.
Not long after walking on at Akron University, however, Toriscelli's path took an unexpected turn.
And, after dropping out of college and returning home to Steubenville, Ohio, he found himself working in a steel mill.
For a time, Toriscelli thought that might be his best career option.
Later, when a friend encouraged Toriscelli to join him in the athletic training program at Ohio University, it changed his life. And, over the past 35 years as a head trainer, including the past 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans, Toriscelli devoted his life to making decisions in the best interest of the team's players, while pushing those around him to be better each day.
On Friday, Toriscelli will work his final day for the Titans, and in the NFL.
He fell in love with the idea of being a trainer as a student in 1980 because he loved sports, and he was fascinated with anatomy and physiology.
He'll walk away knowing he'll miss the relationships he's built, and the friendships he's made along the way.
"Being a head trainer for 35 years, as much as I've enjoyed it, it's just time for me," Toriscelli said. "I'll be 64 in a month, and we work about 90 hours a week during the season. People keep asking me what I am going to do, and I honestly don't know because I've never been able to do anything.
"But I've always loved what I did so much. Now, I just think it's time. It's kind of a young man's profession, and I think it's time for me to step away and enjoy life."
The Titans hired Toriscelli as their Director of Sports Medicine in 2014, and he was named Vice President of Sports Medicine in 2022. In 2023, he was honored with the 2022-23 NFL Outstanding Athletic Trainer of the Year Award, one of many awards he's been awarded over the years.
Toriscelli joined the Titans after 17 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including his last four seasons there as of Director of Sports Medicine and Performance after 13 years as the Head Athletic Trainer for the Buccaneers.
Prior to entering the NFL in 1997, he spent seven years as a head athletic trainer in the college ranks, split between Stanford, Miami (Fla.) and Kansas State.
"Todd has become one of the most respected athletic trainers in the NFL, known for his ability to get players back on the field, earning their trust, and training future head trainers in the league," Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker said. "His impact has been immeasurable, and he will be sorely missed as he enters the next chapter of his life. Throughout almost 40 years in this demanding profession, his wife, Chris, has been a constant rock by his side, supporting him through an impressive and grueling career.
"Now it's time for them to enjoy life and explore the world together. Todd is, without a doubt, one of the finest individuals I've ever come across in this profession. A simple 'thank you' isn't nearly enough, but we're deeply grateful for everything he's done. He embodies everything we strive to be as a Titan."
In Tennessee, Toriscelli worked under head coaches Ken Whisenhunt, Mike Mularkey, Mike Vrabel and Brian Callahan. He was hired by former General Manager Ruston Webster, who knew Toriscelli from their days together in Tampa.
The fact he was retained by so many different coaches, and general managers, speaks to his reputation, and character he displayed on the job over the years.
Toriscelli's NFL career spanned 575 NFL games. He was part of a Super Bowl championship team in Tampa. During his time as a trainer, he's made countless contributions to player health and safety.
While with the Buccaneers, Toriscelli was involved in research projects on dehydration and exercise in the heat with scientists from the Gatorade Sports Science Institute. He also completed a large research project on hamstring injuries and other injury-related topics among NFL players. He has published many articles and lectured on topics related to sports medicine. In the past, he served on the Executive Board of the Professional Football Athletic Trainers Association.
His impact won't end with his retirement — six current NFL head athletic trainers got their start working under Toriscelli, and his leadership and mentorship helped shape the future of athletic training across the league.
"When you do what I do, rule No.1 is you have to earn the players' trust, because if they don't trust you, you can't really do your job," Toriscelli said. "I think what I enjoyed the most is the relationships I've had with the players and gaining their trust.
"There's no doubt I'll miss a lot of things about it. I know I'll definitely miss the relationship with my staff, and being able to lead them, and teach them. I'll miss that more than anything."
Matt Gregg, who joined the Titans nine years ago, will replace Toriscelli. Gregg has spent the past six seasons as Associate Head Athletic trainer, where he worked alongside Toriscelli. Prior to being hired full time by the Titans, he held the position of athletic trainer with Saint Thomas Hospital, where he assisted the Titans athletic training staff for two seasons.
Toriscelli said Gregg was his first hire when he got the job in Tennessee.
"I just think the guy is tremendous," Toriscelli said of Gregg. "Of all the people I have helped put out there, I think he is the best, and the most prepared."
Looking back, Toriscelli said taking the job in Tennessee was probably the best decision he ever made in his career.
It challenged him, and it forced him to dig even deeper to find the best practices, and get the best results, around new coaches and new players, in a new city.
Over the years, things have changed a lot in the profession, he said. Players need one-on-one attention more than ever, which in turn has led to bigger demands, and bigger staffs across the league, including in Tennessee.
"And, managing the players has changed so much," he said. "Earlier in my career, the training room is not somewhere you wanted to be. Guys would stay out of there, and now 28 years later, players are told to come in there and they spend a lot of time in there."
One thing has not changed:
"I always told my staff: I don't care if a guy is the highest paid player on the team, or a free agent rookie who has no shot. We're going to treat everybody the best," Toriscelli said.
"It's all about relationships. I think once players trust you and know they have your best interests in mind, that's important. The perception is people in my job kind of force the players out there, and don't give them all the details on what's wrong with them. Actually, the opposite is true. I spent more of my time telling guys they shouldn't play, and they don't want to hear that. But the bottom line is this with the players: Whether it was 25 years ago or today. If you treat the players like they are your own kid, then you'll rarely make mistakes. That's how you build trust, is being honest with them.
"Everybody that walks out of the training room, I want them to feel like they've been helped."
Toriscelli said he isn't sure what's next, since he's devoted most of his life to his job.
He plans to remain in Nashville, and plans to do more with his wife.
He'll now have more time to visit his two adult children, who both live in New York City.
And, he'll root on the Titans while exploring life after retirement.
"I have no hobbies whatsoever," he said with a smile. "But I'll find some.
"It's been great," he added before heading back to the training room earlier this week. "And, I love the Titans. I really do think coming here was probably the best thing I did in my career."
