WATCH: A woman named Jen Welter is breaking new ground in the National Football League. The Arizona Cardinals has added her to their upcoming training camp. It’s believed Welter, who holds a masters in sports psychology and a doctorate in psychology, is the first woman ever hired as an NFL coach. Elaine Quijano reports.
TORONTO — The Arizona Cardinals’ newest coaching hire has a stacked resume: a master’s degree in sports psychology, a Ph.D. in psychology, and experience on the field as running back and special teams for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League. But the real kicker? The new coach is a woman.
The National Football League team says Jen Welter, who has been brought on as a training camp and preseason coach for inside linebackers, is the first female coach to be hired in the league.
Reaction to the hire was swift. Some said she’s breaking a glass ceiling. Others said it’s a sign of changing attitudes. Many are simply stating she’s an inspiration and role model for women and girls.
“I am honored to be a part of this amazing team,” Dr. Jen, as she’s often referred to, tweeted. “Special thanks to Bruce Arians & the Arizona Cardinals.”
Welter played linebacker for more than 14 seasons in the Women’s Football Alliance, mostly with the Dallas Diamonds, where she helped the team win four championships. A rugby player at Boston College, she also earned two gold medals on Team USA at the International Federation of Football Women’s World Championships in 2009 and 2013.
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Earlier this year Arizona coach Bruce Arians said skills and ability, not gender, matter when it comes to hiring coaching staff.
“The minute they can prove they can make a player better, they’ll be hired,” Arians said.
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Speaking to azcardinals.com on Monday, Arians said: “Coaching is nothing more than teaching. One thing I have learned from players is ‘How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I don’t care if you’re the Green Hornet, I’ll listen.'”
“I really believe she’ll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her,” Arians said.
This is the second sign of change announced this year in the male-dominated world of professional football — this season the NFL will also welcome referee Sarah Thomas, who had been hired as the league’s first full-time female game official.
With files from the Associated Press
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