The concept of female NFL coaches may seem foreign, but the idea is not too far-fetched. In fact, a woman was just brought in by the Arizona Cardinals in a coaching capacity and is believed to be the first woman to ever hold a coaching position in the NFL.
The Cardinals on Monday brought in Jen Welter as a training camp/preseason intern coaching inside linebackers. Welter played college rugby and then transitioned to pro football, where she has played running back and special teams for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League — a professional men’s league.
@47Brand did you know the first female to play men's pro football as a RB is #Welter47? pic.twitter.com/GcfdSic88w
— Dr. Jen Welter (@jwelter47) April 15, 2015
In a story published on the team’s website, the Cardinals say the coach of the Revolution contacted Cardinals coach Bruce Arians in response to his comments saying that he would be open to a female coach. The Revolution coach believed Welter would be the perfect candidate; in addition to her playing career, Welter has a master’s degree in sports management and doctorate in psychology.
After learning more about her, Arians thought Welter would do well in a coaching position.
“She came for an OTA and I met her, and I thought she was the type of person that could handle this in a very positive way for women and open that door,” Arians said.
Welter is excited for the opportunity:
I am honored to be a part of this amazing team. Special thanks to @BruceArians & the @AZCardinals https://t.co/FcDG1b7P4E
— Dr. Jen Welter (@jwelter47) July 28, 2015
She also seems to have some respect already:
AFC player in text to me on Jen Welter: ""The truth is, she has more playing experience than some of the coaches who coach me now."
— mike freeman (@mikefreemanNFL) July 28, 2015
This is another big step for women as they try to break into coaching male sports. Becky Hammon became the first female coach in the NBA last year, and then she led the Spurs’ summer league team to a championship. Additionally, the NFL now has its first full-time female official.
Hammon dealt with one gender-related controversy last season, but other than that, nobody seemed to think twice about what she was doing. Hopefully that will also be the case with Welter.
She definitely looks like she belongs in a locker room:
@ToddDuckett check out the new look for a coach in men's pro football pic.twitter.com/PE0VDlTKWk
— Dr. Jen Welter (@jwelter47) May 5, 2015
Photo: Jen Welter/Twitter
