Jennifer Welter facts for kids
Welter in 2014
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| Position: | Running back |
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| 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 | |
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| As coach: | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Medal record | ||
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| Women's American football | ||
Representing  United States |
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| World Championship | ||
| Gold | 2010 Sweden | Team Competition |
| Gold | 2013 Finland | Team Competition |
Jennifer Welter was born on October 27, 1977. She is an American football coach who has made history many times. She was a defensive specialist for the Atlanta Legends football team.
Jennifer Welter became the first female coaching intern in the National Football League (NFL). This happened when she worked with the Arizona Cardinals in 2015. She also made history in 2014 and 2015 in men's football.
On February 12, 2015, the Texas Revolution team hired Welter. She became their linebackers and special teams coach. This made her the first woman to coach in a professional men's football league.
A year before that, in 2014, Welter played for the Texas Revolution. She was a running back. This made her the second woman to play a position other than kicker in a men's professional football team. She was the first woman to play as a running back. Jennifer Welter was also the first woman in football to play a "contact" position. This means she played a role where players often tackle each other.
In March 2016, Jennifer Welter was part of the #IAmAMogul campaign. This campaign celebrated Women's History Month. It recognized her for changing how people think about NFL coaches.
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Playing Football: Early Career
Jennifer Welter played for several women's professional and semi-professional football teams. These included the Dallas Diamonds and Dallas Dragons. She was a very successful player.
She won gold medals with Team USA at the IFAF Women's World Championship. This happened in both 2010 and 2013. She also played rugby when she was in college.
Making History with the Texas Revolution
Jennifer Welter first played as a running back for the Texas Revolution in a preseason game. This was on February 15, 2014. She carried the ball three times in that game.
On February 19, the Revolution added Welter to their regular team roster for the 2014 season.
Then, on February 12, 2015, the Revolution announced something new. They hired Welter as their new linebackers and special teams coach. This was a huge step. It made her the first woman to ever coach in a professional men's football league.
Coaching in the NFL: Arizona Cardinals
On July 27, 2015, the Arizona Cardinals hired Jennifer Welter. She became an assistant coaching intern for their training camp and preseason. This made her the first female coach in the NFL.
Her time with the Cardinals ended after their third preseason game on August 30, 2015. Players like Tyrann Mathieu from the Cardinals said her coaching style was like any other coach. People wondered if NFL players would listen to a woman coach. The answer was a clear "yes."
Coaching the Atlanta Legends
On December 11, 2018, Jennifer Welter joined the Atlanta Legends team. This team was part of the new Alliance of American Football. She worked as a defensive specialist under head coach Brad Childress.
Education and Awards
Jennifer Welter studied at Boston College. She earned a master's degree in Sport psychology. She also has a PhD in psychology from Capella University.
In 2015, Jennifer Welter received the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Award. This award recognized her amazing achievements in the world of sports.
See also
- Kathryn Smith
- List of female American football players
- Justine Siegal
