Women Of The NFL
These incredible women are pioneers in the NFL and breaking barriers like no others have before. Hopefully, it is the start of something big!
Photo Credit: Instagram
Jen Welter
She became a defensive coaching intern for the Arizona Cardinals, making her the first female coaching intern in the NFL.
In 2014, Welter was a running back for the Texas Revolution, making her the 2nd female player for a position other than kicker or place kicker/holder on a men’s professional football team.
After her playing career, she became a linebackers and special teams coach for the Revolution, making her the first woman to coach in a men’s pro football league.
Kathryn Smith
In 2016, Kathryn Smith became the first full-time female coach in NFL history as the special teams quality control coach for the Buffalo Bills.
Smith was the only woman to hold a full-time coaching position in the NFL until the San Francisco 49ers hired Katie Sowers in 2017.
Photo credit courtesy of Kim Pegula, Buffalo Bills
Katie Sowers
In 2017, Katie Sowers was hired by the San Francisco 49ers and became an Offensive Assistant Coach.
On February 2, 2020, Sowers became the 1st female to coach in a Super Bowl.
She is also the 1st LGBT coach in the NFL.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Kelsey Martinez
In 2018, Kelsey Martinez was hired by the Oakland Raiders as their first ever female assistant coach. She joined the strength and conditioning staff and became only the 2nd female to be hired for the position in NFL history.
Throughout her career, Martinez has overseen the development and training of top NFL draft picks like Khalil Mack and Derrick Henry.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Maral Javadifar
In 2019, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Head Coach, Bruce Arians, hired Maral Javadifar as the team’s assistant strength and conditioning coach.
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On the same day Javadifar was hired, Lori Locust was hired as the assistant defensive line coach. The duo became the first female full-time coaches in franchise history
Photo Credit: Instagram
Callie Brownson
In 2020, the Cleveland Browns named Callie Brownson the Chief of Staff under Head Coach, Kevin Stefanski.
Previously, Brownson was the full-time assistant coach for the Dartmouth football team.
She spent the 2019 NFL season as a full-time intern for the Buffalo Bills.
Brownson also played for the D.C. Divas in the Women’s Football Alliance for 7 years & helped them win two National Championships.
Photo Credit: Instagram
Lori Locust
In 2019, Lori Locus was hired by Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Head Coach, Bruce Arians, as the assistant defensive line coach.
Alongside Maral Javadifar, they became the first duo of full-time female coaches in franchise history.
She previously served as a defensive line coach for the Birmingham Iron of the Alliance of American Football and was a semi-professional player.
Photo Credit: Twitter
Jennifer King
In 2020, King was hired by Washington Redskins’ Head Coach, Ron Rivera, and will join the team’s offensive staff.
She will become the first full-time female African-American coach in NFL history.
Before becoming an assistant coach, King worked as a coaching intern for the Carolina Panthers and was an assistant coach on the Dartmouth College football team.
Previously, King played in the Women’s Football Alliance and won a national championship with the New York Sharks.
Photo Credits: Pexels,
