Remember last year when I did a blog about Jen Welter and girls who play football? No? Click here. Well, Welter has officially moved on from playing professionally to coaching professionally. The former running back for the Indoor Football League’s Texas Revolution is now a coach with the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals. Yep, you read that right…the N. F. L. This hire and announcement make her the first female coach in the history of the NFL. Lest you think that Welter has appeared overnight, check out her pretty extensive resume. In her 37 years on this earth, Welter has managed to play rugby at NCAA Division-I Boston College, play 14 seasons of women’s professional football, snag a master’s in sports psychology and a Ph.D. in psychology, win two gold medals with Team USA in the International Federation of American Football Women’s World Championships, become the first female to play a non-kicking position in a professional football league, and coach linebackers in two different men’s professional football leagues. Whew! I got tired just writing all of that! Needless to say, this woman is quite accomplished and well deserving of the opportunity to display her skills at the highest level of play. Try to keep an eye out for Welter as she works alongside some of the best in the NFL as a training camp/preseason intern with the inside linebackers.
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You have a very low standard for an impressive resume, using 14 years in a women’s league and 1year as a player in the arena league. If D1 head coaches and CFL are not respected as coach’s by player’s in the NFL what makes you think that players will all of the sudden be receptive to a women’s and arena league player. A intern position for training camp is a great accomplishment but is not a NFL coaching position.
Cecelia Townes says
I don’t think I have low standards at all. Actually, I would say my standards are on par with the organization that hired her and that considers her position a coaching position…internship or not. No, she does not have the same background as some of the D1/CFL coaches, but that does not mean she does not have the knowledge and skill set to make her mark in the world of coaching. I don’t think I ever stated that players would all of a sudden be receptive to a women’s and arena league player/coach. She will have to earn her respect like any other coach/intern. That does not mean that we can’t celebrate her accomplishments.
Cecelia Townes says
I meant to say this before, but (while we may not take the same position) thanks for taking the time to read the blog and comment!
I hope I didn’t come off to negative in my post. I have great regard for coach Arians judgment, he actually recruited my son when he was at Temple. This is no doubt a great opportunity and as I stated in another post a person does not have to be 6’3 230 lbs to be a good coach knowledge comes in all sizes.I have been to 3 camps myself and the interns and coaches with less than stellar resumes are flat out given a very difficult time (I intentionally did not say disrespect ) I still have ties to several NFL team’s, so this will be a interesting pre-season I hope we can talk more in the upcoming weeks.
Cecelia says
I agree. In fact, I think it’s already turning out to be an interesting pre-season. Social media is really giving the public an up close seat of what camps are really like. I think it’s pretty amazing for anyone, man or woman, to be able to make it through such an intense three weeks! Let’s definitely keep the convo going. I’m @SportyEsquire on Twitter & IG. Cecelia Townes on FB.