Dr. Jennifer Welter (born October 27, 1977) is an American football player, coach, academic, entrepreneur, and executive.[1] She was a defensive coaching intern for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals during their training camp and the 2015 preseason, making her the first female coaching intern in the NFL.[2] This is her third "first" for men's football in 2014 and 2015.[3] As of 2024, she is the chief marketing officer of the Arena Football League.[4]
 Welter at SXSW 2024 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | October 27, 1977 Vero Beach, Florida |
| Height: | 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m) |
| Weight: | 130 lb (59 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Sebastian (FL) River |
| College: | Boston College |
| Career history | |
| As a player: | |
| |
| As a coach: | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Women’s American football | ||
Representing  United States
| ||
| World Championship | ||
 |
2010 Sweden | Team Competition |
|
2013 Finland | Team Competition |
On February 12, 2015, Champions Indoor Football's Texas Revolution named Welter their linebackers and special teams coach making her the first woman to coach in a men's professional football league.[5] A year prior, the 5 ft 2 in (1.57 m), 130 lb (59.0 kg) Welter was signed by the Revolution as a running back.[5] This made her the second female player for a position other than kicker or placekick-holder on a men's professional football team, and the first at running back.[3] This was also a personal first for Welter as she had only played as a defensive player in her career.[6] However, she is not the first female to play a male dominant sport. She is the second woman after ice hockey player, Hayley Wickenheiser, to play a "contact" position in a male dominant sport, but the first woman in football to do so.[7]
Welter was featured in Mogul's #IAmAMogul campaign as part of Women's History Month in March 2016 for "changing the perception of what it means to be an NFL coach."[8]
Playing career
editMassachusetts Mutiny (2001-2002)
editWelter began her playing career in the National Women's Football League (NWFL) as a linebacker with the Massachusetts Mutiny. She played in the NWFL's inaugural season.[9]
Dallas Diamonds and Dallas Dragons (2002-2014)
editWelter is a veteran of several women's professional and semi-professional football teams (including the Dallas Diamonds and Dallas Dragons).[10] During which, she was paid a maximum of $12 per season.[10] With the Dallas Diamonds, Welter won eight division titles and four championships.[11][12][13]
Team USA (2010-2013)
editWelter was a gold medal-winning member of Team USA at the IFAF Women's World Championship in 2010 (Sweden) and 2013 (Finland).[14] In addition to this, she had eight all-star selections.[14]
Texas Revolution (2014)
editAs a running back for the Texas Revolutions, a professional indoor football team which competed in the Indoor Football League (IFL), Jennifer Welter was the first woman to play a non-kicking position in a men's professional football league.[15] Welter's first action as a Revolution running back came during a preseason game on February 15, 2014, against the North Texas Crunch.[16] Welter rushed for three carries for −1 yards.[16] On February 19, the Revolution officially named Welter to their 2014 regular season roster.[16]
On February 12, 2015, the Revolution became the first woman to coach in a men's professional football league by introducing Welter as their new linebackers and special teams coach.[17]
Coaching career
editArizona Cardinals (2015)
editOn July 27, 2015, the Arizona Cardinals hired Welter as an assistant coaching intern for training camp and the preseason; as such, she is believed to be the first female coach in the NFL.[18] Welter was 37 years old when she assumed the role.[19] Her internship with the Cardinals expired after the team's third preseason game on August 30, 2015. Her coaching style does not differ from many, according to Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu.[20] The Washington Post added, "The biggest question coming in was would guys in the NFL respond to a woman coaching them, and the obvious answer is yes". She credits head coach Bruce Arians for being open minded and courageous enough to create a innovative first in the NFL.[21]
Atlanta Legends (2018-2019)
editOn December 11, 2018, Welter was hired by the Atlanta Legends of the newly-formed Alliance of American Football as a defensive specialist under head coach Brad Childress.[22] This post was short-lived as the Alliance of American Football went bankrupt in 2019. [23]
Vegas Vipers (2022-2023)
editWelter was officially hired by the Vegas Vipers on September 13, 2022 as an assistant under Rod Woodson.[24] After the 2023 XFL season, Woodson departed June 11, 2023,[25] with much of the rest of the Vipers staff following the same month;[26] as an assistant coach, Welter's seasonal employment contract expired at the end of that month.[27] The Vipers would not return to play after that season.[28]
Coaching Statistics
editArizona Cardinals [29]
| Record | Win % | Playoff record | Playoff win% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-3-0 | 81.25 | 1-1 | 50.00 |
Post-coaching career
editPro Football Hall of Fame Game for Life Academy (2017-present)
editWelter has served on the advisory board since 2017.[30] This initiative aims to inspire and educate young athletes by leveraging the life lessons and values learned through football.[30] Welter’s involvement includes mentoring and developing programs that emphasize character building, leadership, and perseverance.[30]
Sports Envoy Program (2020-present)
editSince 2020, Welter has been involved in the Sports Envoy Program, an initiative by the U.S. Department of State.[31] Welter holds sports clinics for young people and their coaches, participates in community outreach activities, and engages youth in a dialogue on the importance of leadership and respect for diversity.[32] As a Sports Envoy, she has traveled to New Zealand (2022) and Samoa (2022) to promote sports and empower women and girls through football.[31] Her efforts focus on breaking down gender barriers and encouraging participation in sports at all levels.[31]
Arena Football League (2024-present)
editOn June 25, 2024, Welter was named Chief Marketing Officer with the Arena Football League.[33] Her role involves helping the league to reach as many viewers and fans as possible and being the head of the marketing department.[33]
Grrridiron Girls (2017-present)
editWelter created "Grrridiron Girls" in 2017.[34] "Grrridiron Girls" is a flag-football training camp that is aimed at young girls who may be interested in playing in pro-football.[34] The camps invite NFL players, coaches, and other professionals in the football industry to facilitate its activities.[35] Most of the camps are free or at reduced cost to encourage girls from all backgrounds to be involved.[34]
Welter says about the camp, "Seeing the age range, the enthusiasm and the skill development of these girls, it's truly proof that this game is for girls and there are no limits in football or in life."[34]
Education
editJennifer Welter attended Sebastian River High School in Sebastian, Florida.[36] She graduated from Boston College in 2000 with a master's degree in Sport psychology.[37] Welter also received a PhD in psychology from Capella University. Welter played rugby at Boston College for four years as a student-athlete.[38]
Author
editJennifer Welter authored several books including works for both adults and children.
In 2015, Jennifer Welter wrote her nonfiction book, Play Big: Lessons in Being Limitless from the First Woman to Coach in the NFL with coauthor Stephanie Krikorian.[39] The book discusses her path to becoming the first female NFL coach and is written as both a memoir and personal guidebook.[40]
Jennifer Welter also wrote the Critter Fitter series with illustrations by Brooke Foley which are children’s books.[41] In these books Jennifer Welter uses animals or “critters” to discuss the then-COVID-19 stricken world.[41] There are four books in this series: Critter Fitter with Bizzy Bee: An Adventure in Motion (2020), Wearing a Mask Says I Love You (2020), When a Lady Bug Can’t Hug (2020), and The Resili-ANTs (2020).
Awards
editIn 2015, Jennifer Welter received the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Award in recognition for her achievements in the sports world.[42]
On November 30, 2018, Welter was inducted into the first class of the Women’s Football Hall of Fame.[43]
In 2024, Welter received the Steinberg DeNicola Humanitarian Award which recognizes outstanding individuals in the NFL community who devote and dedicate their time to addressing community issues and the welfare of humanity.[44]
Collaborations
editadidas announced a multi-year partnership with Welter to make football and its footwear more accessible to women.[45] The partnership featured a special-edition female football cleat made specifically for Welter in the adidas Speedfactory.[45] The flexible shoe is called the AM4JEN and serves as a custom cleat created with functional detailing meant to support Welter.[45] It can be considered a blueprint for what a mainstream female football cleat might look like.[45] Welter said "For Adidas to actually produce a cleat made for me really shows the power of the brand and the future of football for women.[45] It requires more specialization, and a real commitment to diversity and inclusion.[45] We have the ability now to grow football for women, not just from my stubbornness [to do so], but from [Adidas's] visibility, profile, and perspective."”[45] Containing a lower heel and a supportive sock liner, the cleat is made for Welter’s specific running and playing techniques as it allows her lighter frame to move quickly and not be weighed down by heavy shoes.[45] The AM4JEN has Welter’s signature quotes such as “Kick Glass” and “Play Big, Dream Bigger” written on the upper.[45]
The inspiration for this shoe stems from Welter's personal experience.[45] When Welter purchased cleats, she would have to buy a kid’s size or cleats designed for soccer.[45] There would be a plethora of football cleats catered to men but not a single pair fit for her female foot.[45] Welter shared, ‘"As I played my whole career, it was always really evident that we weren't meant to be here. We weren't on equal footing because we quite literally weren't on equal footwear. How can we possibly say that men and women are equal if we don't even have equal footwear?"’[45]
On February 2, 2019, adidas and Coach Welter kicked off the first girls’ flag football camp in Atlanta.[45] This camp was the first of many that were part of a series that adidas co-hosted with Welter to serve underprivileged kids across the country.[45] The first flag football camp for girls took place in Atlanta period to the 2019 Super Bowl.[45] adidas used the camp to gather data on the specialized tendencies, needs, and abilities of female football players.[45] The gathered data from the camps is meant to serve as information that will help future detailing and structure for a mainstream female cleat.[45]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Jen Welter". Who2. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Cardinals Add First Female Coach". web.archive.org. July 29, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Queen of Football ~ Dr. Jen Welter | The Los Angeles Tribune". June 30, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Hodgin, Whitney (June 28, 2024). "AFL welcomes Welter to Chief Marketing Officer position". Dodge City Daily Globe. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "Meet the NFL's first female coach, Jen Welter". 12news.com. July 29, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Armour, Nancy. "Jen Welter is still Changing the Game by making sure other women follow her to the NFL". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Hayley Wickenheiser". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jennifer Welter". H&RSTORY. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "The Heights, Volume LXXXIII, Number 13 — 30 April 2002 — Boston College Newspapers". newspapers.bc.edu. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Ridley, Jane (October 4, 2017). "This athlete beat homelessness to become the NFL's first female coach". Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Women's Professional Football League". web.archive.org. December 30, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Women's Professional Football League". web.archive.org. December 30, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ "Women's Professional Football League". web.archive.org. December 30, 2008. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Jen Welter". Sports Envoy Program. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ The Dallas Morning News (October 1, 2015). Jen Welter tries out for non-kicking spot on men's pro football team at Texas Revolutions practice. Retrieved October 4, 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b c Medina, Mariah (July 29, 2015). "NFL's first female coach, Jen Welter of the Arizona Cardinals, played pro arena football in Texas". San Antonio News.
- ^ Ridley, Jane (October 4, 2017). "This athlete beat homelessness to become the NFL's first female coach". Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ "Cardinals hire first female coach in NFL history to work with ILBs". FOX Sports. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Meet the NFL's first female coach, Jen Welter". 12news.com. July 29, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Jones, Lindsay H. "Jen Welter forms special bond with Cardinals in coaching stint". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Armour, Nancy. "Jen Welter is still Changing the Game by making sure other women follow her to the NFL". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Reports, From Staff (December 11, 2018). "Atlanta Legends football coaching staff additions include NFL's first female coach". Gwinnett Daily Post. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Schmidt, Caitlin (May 26, 2020). "Resilient Jen Welter keeps turning potential losses into wins". Arizona Daily Star. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ Rachuk, Stephan (September 13, 2022). "XFL Finalizes Coaching and Football Operations Staffs for All Eight Teams". Pro Football Newsroom. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Rod Woodson out as head coach of XFL's Vegas Vipers". NBC Sports. June 11, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Perry, Mark (May 30, 2023). "Exclusive: Major Changes in XFL As League Makes Widespread Cuts". xflnewshub.com. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Mitchell, Mike (January 12, 2024). "UFL Pay Structure for Coaches, Players: What We Know". Sports Illustrated UFL on FanNation News, Analysis and More. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Alexander, Mookie (December 31, 2023). "Report: RIP, Seattle Sea Dragons?!". Field Gulls. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jennifer Welter | Pro Football History.com". pro-football-history.com. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ a b c "A Game for Life | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c "Jen Welter". Sports Envoy Program. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Samoa, U. S. Embassy (September 27, 2022). "Sports Envoy Program 2022". U.S. Embassy in Samoa. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ a b "The Arena Football League Welcomes Dr. Jen Welter as Chief Marketing Officer". Retrieved October 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d TEAM 10, NICOLE MENNER (I), SPORTS (II) (April 14, 2024). "Panthers host girls flag football camp". WJAR. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Mclaughlin, Christina (April 13, 2018). "Hey NFL, leave room for the ladies". ProQuest. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Hodges, Andy (September 28, 2018). "First Female NFL Coach Returns to Sebastian River High School". Sebastian Daily. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jen Welter - Carroll School of Management". Boston College. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ sports, Kent Somers, AZcentral. "Jen Welter makes history as NFL's first female coach". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Friedman, Kate (October 5, 2017). "The NFL's First Female Coach Wants You to Stop Assigning a Dollar Value to Your Life". Glamour. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Welter, Jennifer (2017). Play Big: Lessons in Being Limitless from the First Woman to Coach in the NFL.
- ^ a b Henderson, Cydney. "'Wearing a Mask Says I Love You': Gov. Andrew Cuomo inspired Jen Welter's COVID-19 kid's book". USA TODAY. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
- ^ "2015 Pioneer Award Winners - Women's Entrepreneurship Day Organization". July 11, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ "Jen Welter". Sports Envoy Program. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ Sadler, Natalie Scarantino. "Steinberg DeNicola Award Honors Philanthropic Football Stars". denicolafamilyfoundation.org. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "adidas announces multi-year partnership with football coach Dr. Jen Welter". adidas News Site | Press Resources for all Brands, Sports and Innovations. February 2, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2024.
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