Cardinals make history with NFL’s first female coach

Aniecia Brewster
MC Contributor/Staff Writer

The Arizona Cardinals gave Jen Welter the opportunity to make history this summer as an assistant linebackers coach during the team’s training camp.

The 37-year-old sports psychologist, is a mother of three and now the first woman to ever coach in NFL league history.

“I think it’s a good look for females because it shows that football isn’t a sexiest sport. Sexist as far as coaching goes,” said Ky’Bria Spell, a junior industrial technology major from Atlanta, Ga.

According to the Cardinals website, Welter is not only experienced in coaching, she also played for the Texas Revolution as running back in 2014.

“I believe if she knows the game at a tremendous level than change is always good,” said Hector Stanback, a Jackson State football player and junior criminal justice major from Jackson, Miss.

Ravontranice Gage feels female coaches will have many obstacles to overcome in the NFL.

“I feel like a woman can’t just be a coach because even though she may know the game, there is more to deal with than just knowing the game. She needs experience as well. Even though it will show equality, there is a lot of pressure that comes with coaching NFL teams,” said Gage, a senior health/physical education & recreation major from Miami, Fla.  “Also it’s hard to deal with a grown males and she probably won’t get as much respect t as a male coach would get,” said senior Ravontranice Gage at Jackson State University.

According to the Cardinals, the coaching staff and Arizona players accepted Welter because sex didn’t matter.

However, some students feel she will not be accepted as an NFL coach because of her gender.

“It’s going to be really hard for her to be accepted and it’s going to take a long time for her to prove herself and that she belongs in the eyes of others,” said Cornelius Henderson, a Jackson State University football player.