NFL gets its first female coach
Jen Welter will go down in history as the first female coach in the National Football League (NFL). The Arizona Cardinals announced today that she will join Cardinal Nation as an intern throughout training camp and the preseason, working with inside linebackers.
"I'm honored to be part of the BirdGang," Welter tweeted.
"If you can make me better, I don't care if you're the Green Hornet," Cardinals coach Bruce Arians told azcardinals.com.
Welter is already familiar with breaking gender barriers. In 2014, the 37-year old played running back and special teams for the Indoor Football League's Texas Revolution, where she became the first female to play a non-kicking position in a men's professional football league.
Welter made history again this past February. She became the first female to coach in a men's pro indoor football league when she was hired by the Revolution to coach linebackers and special teams.
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Welter has a doctorate degree in psychology, a master's degree in sports psychology and is a graduate of Boston College where she played rugby.
She also has won two gold medals playing for Team USA playing in the International Federation of American Football Women's World Championship in 2010 and 2013.
Arians' believes that she is not only a pioneer, but also that her hiring could have an even larger impact.
"She came for an OTA (organized team activity) 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.
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Welter will not be the only female on the gridiron this season. The NFL announced earlier this year that Sarah Thomas has been hired as the NFL's first full-time female official.
However, Welter will join a select group of women in the coaching ranks of male sports.
The San Antonio Spurs hired Becky Hammon last season as an assistant coach and the first ever female coach in the NBA. Hammon led the Spurs to a Summer League Championship in Las Vegas earlier this month.
The Arizona Cardinals will hold a press conference Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET to introduce Welter.