A trailblazer for women in American football — the first woman to coach in the NFL (Arizona Cardinals, 2015) and a decorated indoor and international football player with multiple world championship medals.
Jennifer Welter was born in Vero Beach, Florida in 1977 and became a trailblazing figure in American football — the first woman to play a non-kicking position in men's professional football and the first female coach in NFL history. She played running back for the Texas Revolution in the Indoor Football League from 2014, earning a championship in both 2013 and 2014. In February 2015 she made history by playing in the Iron Men game — a men's professional indoor football game — as the first woman at a skill position. That same year the Arizona Cardinals appointed her as a coaching intern under head coach Bruce Arians, making her the first female coach in NFL history. She holds a PhD in psychology from Capella University. Her appointment generated international media coverage and opened a conversation about women's roles in professional sports beyond playing. She has since consulted on player development and been an advocate for inclusion in professional sport. She has spoken widely about breaking barriers for women in football and sport more broadly, and has been recognised by Sports Illustrated and Time magazine as a pioneer in American sport.
First female coach in NFL history (Arizona Cardinals, 2015)
Career Honours
- First female coach in NFL history (Arizona Cardinals, 2015)
- IFL Champion 2013, 2014 (Texas Revolution)
- First woman to play non-kicking position in men's professional football
- Sports Illustrated and Time coverage 2015
- PhD in Psychology