When people are asked whether there are any girls of NFL football, they usually answer in the affirmative. But is this really true? Does the National Football League have girls involved in its operations either as players, coaches, or executives?
The answer is a resounding yes. In 2019, a group of young women in Arizona were fitted with protective gear, taught blocking techniques, and even scored touchdowns as part of the Arizona Cardinals’ NFL flag football program for girls. One of these players, Julie Johnson, went on to become a flag foot player for the Cardinals. She was the first girl to ever score a touchdown at an NFL-level event.
Women have also had roles in coaching NFL teams. For example, in 2003, Jennifer Welter became the first female coach in NFL history when she joined the Arizona Cardinals as an assistant coach for their inside linebackers. In 2015, Kathryn Smith became the Buffalo Bills’ special teams quality control coach, making her the first woman ever to be a full-time NFL coach.
Cheap Jerseys from china the executive side of things, the NFL has had a strong presence of female top-level leaders for years now. Currently, there are at least four female C-suite executives, including the league’s CFO, and several other women in senior leadership roles. Additionally, in 2014, the NFL launched the Women’s Advisory Council, which had the goal of promoting diversity and gender equality in the league.
But aside from these official roles, there is also a significant presence of girls of all ages who are passionate about football. The NFL and its teams have numerous outreach programs that are specifically designed to engage girls in football. For instance, the Miami Dolphins run a girls’ tackle football camp, and the Minnesota Vikings launched a girls’ flag football program in 2019.
But while there are plenty of girls who play or are associated with the NFL as outlined above, the sheer fact that less than 5 percent of professional players are female tells us that there is still a great deal of work to be done. The NFL has done an admirable job in their efforts to promote and cultivate female participation in the sport, but more needs to be done.
The NFL needs to create a pipeline for young girls to enter the sport, such as with more girls’ flag football programs, or even create youth league teams that are geared toward girls. Additionally, more scholarships and educational opportunities also need to be made available to attract young girls to the sport.
Not only will these initiatives create opportunities, but they will also help to provide young girls with a much-needed sense of self-esteem and a sense of pride in being an NFL football player. Setting the example for them at an early age that being a girl doesn’t mean having to miss out on playing sports or the opportunities that come with it is a crucial step that the league can take in securing its continued success.
The eliminated nfl teams has definitely come a long way in its efforts to promote and involve women in football, but there is still plenty of room for growth. More initiatives to encourage young girls to play the sport, as well as providing better access to top-level players and executives, could go a long way in celebration and inclusion of girls of NFL football.