Home | WebMail | Register or Login

      Calgary | Regions | Local Traffic Report | Advertise on Action News | Contact

Login

Login

Please fill in your credentials to login.

Don't have an account? Register Sign up now.

Posted: 2015-07-28T13:25:52Z | Updated: 2015-07-28T14:25:41Z

The Arizona Cardinals made history Monday when they announced the team has brought on Jen Welter to intern with their coaching staff for its training camp and preseason. She is believed to be the first woman to hold a position with a NFL coaching staff.

Cardinals coach Bruce Arians said Monday that Welter will be working with the team's linebackers. When he was asked in March about the possibility of the league one day employing a female coach, Arians provided a succinct answer.

The minute they can prove they can make a player better, theyll be hired, he said at the time.

Welter was suggested to Arians as a possible coaching intern by the coach of the Indoor Football League's Texas Revolution, where she had joined as a linebacker and special teams coach in February. Speaking about Welter's arrival, Arians said gender doesn't matter, as long as the job gets done.

One thing I have learned from players is, How are you going to make me better? If you can make me better, I dont care if youre the Green Hornet, man, Ill listen,'" he said, according to AZCardinals.com . "I really believe shell have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her.

Welter, 37, is hardly a vanity hire. She was the first woman to be hired as a coach in a men's professional football league when she joined the Texas Revolution earlier this year, according to ESPN. Welter also took to the field herself, alongside the men, playing both running back and special teams for the Revolution in February 2014 -- the first woman to play a non-kicking position.

She also boasts her own 14-year career in professional football, primarily in the Womens Football Alliance, as well as two gold medals playing for the U.S. in the International Federation of American Football Womens World Championship in 2010 and 2013, the Cardinals said.

Welter additionally holds both a PhD in psychology and a Masters in sports psychology, and she played collegiate rugby for Boston College , an experience that she has said influenced how she plays football.

Welter took to Twitter following the team's announcement Monday, which will be followed by a press conference on Tuesday.

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost

Welter's hire also follows the NFL hiring it's first female referee, Sarah Thomas, for the upcoming season. The league congratulated Welter on the announcement, as well.

Also on HuffPost:

Support Free Journalism

Consider supporting HuffPost starting at $2 to help us provide free, quality journalism that puts people first.

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?

Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.

The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. We hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.

Support HuffPost