Dr. Jesse DeLee
San Antonio
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Inducted in 2023
Dr. Jesse DeLee is an Orthopaedic Surgeon who specializes in Sports Medicine. He has provided medical coverage for high school football games in the San Antonio area continuously since 1974 to present. To date, he has provided medical coverage for more than 1,000 games. He has served as team physician for Sam Houston High School since 1974 and Tom C. Clark High School since 1982.Dr. DeLee became interested in Sports Medicine as a result of the influence of his high school football coach, Clarence “Buckshot” Underwood in Port Arthur, Texas. Dr. DeLee started the first Saturday morning Sports Medicine Clinic in San Antonio and South Texas at the Nix Hospital in 1982. This was the second such clinic for athletes in the State of Texas. This clinic served athletes in San Antonio and South Texas until 2019, when it moved to its current location at Christus Santa Rosa Healthcare System and continues to provide care for athletes. In 2000, Dr. DeLee was asked to chair the newly formed medical advisory committee for the University Interscholastic League. This committee provides oversight for medical issues regarding all students participating in UIL-sponsored activities.
This committee is the first of its kind in the US and has been instrumental in such activities as the concussion protocol, cardiac screening, and prevention of heat-related injuries. He continues in this role currently.