Andrews Athlete Acquires Walters, Inc., Expanding National Leadership in Athlete Safety
PENSACOLA, FLA. – September 2, 2025 – Andrews Athlete, co-founded by world-renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and Chad C. Henderson, CEO and Founder of Catalyst Healthspan Enterprises, in partnership with Doug and William Sellers, today announced the acquisition of Walters, Inc., a leading provider of emergency preparedness and training for athletic programs nationwide.
Founded by Hall of Fame athletic trainer Dr. Rod Walters, Walters, Inc. has provided consulting for NFL teams and numerous collegiate and professional programs. Walters will join Andrews Athlete as National Director of Athlete Safety, continuing his mission with expanded reach and resources.
Since 2007, Dr. Walters has delivered sports medicine consultation across professional and collegiate athletics, including leadership in high-profile independent reviews such as the Jordan McNair and Braden Bradforth cases and the 2024 Tufts University exertional rhabdomyolysis investigation. His work has set the benchmark for emergency preparedness and accountability in athletics.
Dr. Andrews’ five decades in sports medicine, along with the network of more than 650 Andrews Fellows now leading programs across the country, provide the foundation for Andrews Athlete. The company was formed with a clear mission: to optimize athlete performance, mitigate risk, and strengthen organizational structures within athletic departments, conferences, and professional teams. The addition of Walters, Inc. expands Andrews Athlete’s ability to deliver emergency training, compliance reviews, and system-wide support.
“Rod Walters has defined what best-in-class emergency preparedness looks like in athletics,” said Doug Sellers, CEO of Andrews Athlete. “Bringing Walters, Inc. under the Andrews Athlete umbrella - and surrounding that foundation with subject matter experts like Ron Courson, Executive Associate Athletic Director of Health & Performance at the University of Georgia - allows us to scale unmatched expertise across leagues and institutions, ensuring athletes and staff are ready for the moments that matter most.”
Dr. Andrews added: “My life’s work has been focused on protecting athletes and helping them to prevent injury, and if an injury were to occur, have the athlete return to play safely and quickly. This next chapter is about building systems and support that go beyond clinical care - making sure every program, from youth sports to professional teams, has the tools they need to keep athletes safe.”
Dr. Walters said: “I am excited to partner with such a recognized brand as Andrews Athlete. The ability to continue to offer our services on an expanded platform excites me.”
As the sister company to Andrews Medicine, Andrews Athlete extends Dr. Andrews’ legacy beyond healthcare delivery and into the structure of athletic departments themselves. Both organizations share the “Andrews Way” - the belief that every athlete, from youth to professional, deserves exceptional care.
Andrews Athlete is based in Pensacola, FL, with an office in Nashville, TN.
ABOUT ANDREWS ATHLETE
Andrews Athlete is revolutionizing athletic care through The Andrews Way, a philosophy pioneered by Dr. James Andrews and his extensive network of providers to make exceptional, evidence-based care accessible to every athlete. Our athlete-first model empowers sports programs to prevent injuries, optimize performance, and strengthen organizational structures by providing certification, education, and best-in-class resources. At Andrews Athlete, we ensure that no athlete is left behind. Learn more at andrewsathlete.com