Former Boston College Rugby Player to be First Female Coach in the NFL
“I knew as soon as I started playing football that (it) was my destiny.” – @jwelter47 http://t.co/TymT2AhtLL pic.twitter.com/YVWuwxpRCE
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) July 29, 2015
On Monday, Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians brought in Jen Welter as a training camp/preseason intern who will be coaching inside linebackers. Welter, 37, played rugby at Boston College and is believed to be the first female to hold any kind of coaching position in the NFL (besides cheerleading coaches, of course, who—if you don’t already know—have a very tough job).
“Coaching is nothing more than teaching,” Arians said at the press conference. “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, man, I’ll listen.’ I really believe she’ll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her.”
Welter also played 14 seasons of pro football, mostly in the Women’s Football Alliance.
Tweets of support for the BC alum have been pouring in, from Danica Patrick to Hillary Clinton:
Congrats to BC grad Jen Welter @jwelter47 – named NFL’s first female coach by #AZCardinals http://t.co/nI6EHNIkGs pic.twitter.com/QHPdcPdGLZ
— Boston College (@BostonCollege) July 28, 2015
@jwelter47 for president!
— Brittany Feagans (@BF_StarNews) July 29, 2015
Congrats @jwelter47! I love football and will be cheering you on!
— Danica Patrick (@DanicaPatrick) July 29, 2015
Who run the world? GIRLS!!!! Congrats @jwelter47 you’re inspiring us all!!
— Cindy Rodriguez (@espncindy) July 29, 2015
New #Cardinals Coach Jen Welter, so smart on why today was so momentous. (Hint: it’s not because of #Delfategate) pic.twitter.com/SM8tUSg2XV
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) July 28, 2015
“I want little girls everywhere to grow up knowing they can do anything—even play football.” Brava, Coach @jwelter47! http://t.co/TDT9NxWPrX
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 28, 2015
