Prior to that, he served in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corp from 1954-56 with the United States Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and was athletic trainer for the Beaumont (TX) "Exporter" baseball club in 1956.

[1] For 18 years (1971–1989), Davis served as the executive director of the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA).

His other honors include having been inducted into the Southwest Athletic Trainers' Association (Texas and Arkansas) Hall of Fame in 1987 and being a member of "Who's Who in the East."

Davis also held memberships in various professional organizations, including the International Narcotic Enforcement Officers Association.

This honor is bestowed upon the league or club official or player for his qualities and professional style in helping pro football writers do his or her job.

In 2009, Otho Davis was nominated as the first athletic trainer for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.