Check up on Peyton Manning and you're likely to find a slew of press on his injuries, progress and prognosis for next season. You're also likely to hear about fully stocked medical staffs from the NFL to Top 20 prep football, from PGA Golf to collegiate lacrosse.
But roller derby, which competes at just a high level of athleticism with the same risk of injury, is in its own category altogether: not pro, not collegiate. While the women of the WNBA get medical support similar to their counterparts in the NBA, many of the 100-plus roller derby leagues are left to their own devices and common sense when dealing with injuries.
Jim Ramsay aka "Papa Doc" has been the Windy City Rollers' doctor since shortly after the league strapped on skates in 2005. Since then Ramsay has authored a first aid manual for roller derby and serves on the national association's "safety squad".
"It is something you're seeing more of, but still very few leagues have their own doctor that comes to bouts, much less one that travels with the team," says the physician.
Ramsay, 72, retired a few years ago after a decades-long practice as a pediatrician in suburban Chicago. His wife and the team nurse, who goes by Mama Vendetta, make up the medical staff along with an athletic trainer provided by ATI Physical Therapy.
"Mama is sort of a mother to the girls," Papa Doc says of his wife, "but she also shadows me and can advise the girls on symptom treatment."
Together, the couple accompanies WCR's traveling teams, the WCR All-Stars and The Second Wind to out-of-town matches and tournaments.
Papa Doc and Mama Vendetta (pic: Jamie DiVecchio Ramsay)
While much of it is applying bandages and attending to abrasions, medical issues in roller derby are the same as in tackle football or ice hockey. The Ramsays provide trackside first aid for the skaters, while advising if there is a need for additional medical advice or an emergency room visit.
The first Windy City Rollers' scrimmage I attended back in March saw Papa swing into action, as one of the women on the team went down with a concussion.
"Concussions are fairly frequent concern as are recurrent joint problems," says Ramsay. "A lot of the time too, the girls may hide their symptoms. Especially if they know they'll be off the track for a few weeks, they try to muscle in and skate through it."
Papa Doc and Mama V attend just about every single home bout at UIC Pavilion. Plus, every Thursday night --with the exception of bout week-- WCR holds an all-league scrimmage, which Papa Doc also attends.
He says that much of the role consists of screening the girls for acute injuries. Ramsay can also write prescriptions but does so sparingly.
For roller derby leagues on the rise, Ramsay says that a key ingredient to success is to try to establish a relationship with a doctor, especially one with a sports medicine focus.
"There's probably some comfort the skaters have knowing that they can enjoy the sport and that someone is on their side," says Papa Doc. "I get a lot of reward from it, and it's been a delightful experience to be associated with the bright, assertive women and men of this league."
Andy Frye writes about football and other things for ESPN.com. You can follow his brazen, militant pro-sports propaganda on Twitter at @MySportsComplex.
Tags: roller derby, sports medicine
(Ramsay, 72, retired a few years ago after a decades-long practice as a pediatrician in suburban Chicago. His wife and the team nurse, who goes by Mama Vendetta, make up the medical staff along with a physical therapist provided by ATI Physical Therapy.) Correction: it's an Athletic Trainer provided by ATI Physical Therapy. Physical Therapist doesn't cover ahtletic events.
Got it.
Papa Doc sounds like a nice guy! I love that he calls his wife "mama".
Wait, maybe everyone calls her that. Then never you mind!
He's still adorable.