For Nathan East, DPT ‘25, the path to physical therapy did not begin in a classroom or clinic, but on the field. From his own athletic experience to stepping onto an NFL field and back to the classroom, his journey shaped a personal calling toward athletic healing. He chose this path not as an outside observer, but as someone who experienced recovery firsthand and developed a desire to help others.
East has played sports for most of his life and like many athletes, injuries were part of that experience. While playing on his high school team, East sustained a back injury that required extended physical therapy. Through that process, he saw the work required for recovery and the reward of returning to the field.
"I didn’t realize it at the time, but my first serious injury completely changed the way I looked at physical therapy," East said.
It was one of the first times East needed consistent visits to a physical therapy clinic instead of quick, informal treatment. Spending extended time in rehabilitation forced him to confront the reality of being sidelined and the emotional challenge of not being able to compete. During that time, he worked with John Lamb, a physical therapist who naturally integrated faith into his approach to patient care.
"He showed me how faith could quietly support someone through the healing process,” East said. "It was the first time recovery challenged more than just my body.”
The satisfaction of seeing hard work pay off through physical therapy stayed with him. By his second year of college, East knew he wanted to pursue physical therapy while continuing his athletic career as a Samford bulldog.
East completed both his undergraduate in exercise science and doctoral degrees in physical therapy at Samford, where relationships with professors, shared worship experiences and a faith-centered community helped shape his time as a student. Those same skills later carried over when he earned the opportunity to play professionally with the Los Angeles Chargers.
"Once I got the opportunity with the Chargers, my study habits in the classroom helped me learn how to study the playbook and prioritize the ways I’m able to learn best,” East said. "The environment at Samford, in class and on the field, helped me adjust quickly to learning playbooks and the pace of the professional game.”
From the sidelines of Seibert Stadium in Homewood, Alabama, to SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, East learned to prioritize who he is beyond his football uniform.
"Just because I’m a football player doesn’t mean that’s who I am, and it’s definitely not the first thing I am," East said. "My identity is in Christ, and that doesn’t change. I’m also a husband, a father, a son and a friend, so keeping those priorities in order matters. I want to give my all to football and preparation, but I also want to stay grounded in my faith, in Scripture and in my relationships."
The professional opportunity offered clarity, but Samford remained the place where East knew he needed to finish what he started.
East graduated in 2025 with his Doctor of Physical Therapy, completing a journey shaped by injury, faith and experience at every level of the game. Now, he serves others not just as a clinician, but as someone who understands recovery from the inside out.
“I’ve been on both sides of recovery,” East said. “Now I get to walk with people through it, and Samford prepared me to serve others well and stay grounded in what matters.”
