Nate Breske, D.P.T., a 2004 graduate of what was then the School of Allied Health Professions, was interviewing for his dream job – head trainer for the Chicago Bears.
The lifelong Bears fan thought it had been going well, but then it ended abruptly and next thing he knew he was in a car headed for the airport, wondering where it had all gone wrong.
That’s when his cell phone rang. They wanted to hire him.
“I gave fist bumps to my imaginary friends in the backseat,” he said.
His UNMC education was a big plus for the NFL team. “He’s a physical therapist and an athletic trainer,” Bears general manager Ryan Pace told Chicago reporters. “He has a well-rounded background. He’s progressive and forward-thinking.”
He thinks in terms of preventing injury, Pace continued. He wants to fix more than current injuries.
“He’s a high-energy, high-burn guy who puts off a positive presence that I like.”
Dr. Breske began with the Bears June 1 with offseason practices and then full-scale training camp in July. “It’s been a crazy whirlwind,” he said.
It wasn’t the first pro football job he’s had.
Nate Breske, D.P.T., works with Chicago Bears defensive player Willie Young (97) on Young’s continued comeback from a previous injury.
While at UNMC, Dr. Breske interned with the New England Patriots and enjoyed it so much, “I dang near didn’t come back to PT school,” he said, only half-joking.
But, after graduation he went home to Watertown, S.D., to open a PT practice and raise a family. “We loved it,” he said. “I thought we would be there forever.”
Then one day in 2008, he got a call from the San Francisco 49ers.
He started as an assistant for the 49ers and was on track for the head job when the Bears called.
Dr. Breske, an all-state player in South Dakota and a college quarterback at Division II Northern State, relishes those times he is out on the field working with players. “The cool part is that on game day, I know I’ve done my part to help the team.”