Writer: Sofi Dawalibi
Editor: Mare Lara
The National Football League stands as the hardest sport to get into, with only 1.6% of its male players making it into the league. When you are a woman, it is abundantly harder to be a part of this organization – with only a total of 223 women working within the institution. – Despite that, for the past couple of years there has been an increasing number of them who have worked hard to earn their spots. Just like in any other male-dominated field, women have been persevering to make a name for themselves and for those who follow them.
“The more accessible you can make the game of football to all women, the more you’re going to see women wanting to make a career out of it” Callie Brownson, the assistant wide receivers coach for the Cleveland Browns, stated to the NFL. Her groundwork as the first female coach for a full-time NCAA Division I team in Dartmouth has led her to a job in the NFL. Just like her, many women don’t gain enough credit or recognition outside of the game.
With the upcoming NFL season starting on September 5th, we need to recognize the women running the game off-screen while we enjoy our Sundays on the green field. Here are five women – amongst the many – whose names should be remembered:
Shannon Myers
The Tennessee Titans’s Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer has always loved sports and its impact on women. Though her specialty relies on numbers, math, and business, Shannon Myers has always felt inclined to work for a team where camaraderie is present, even to those outside of the field. Taking this position allows her to have a view of every single department on the team. She helps manage their finances and control the business side of things.
Laura Young
Laura Young made her debut in the NFL in 2004, as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Business and Team President of the Baltimore Ravens. Later working a couple of years in the coaching staff of the Buffalo Bills, she realized on game days, her place was on the sidelines. Currently, she is in her third season as the Giants’ Team’s Director of Coaching Operations, gaining the title of first woman in a coaching position in Giants’ history.
Sandra Douglass Morgan
Though Sandra Morgan’s early career took place in courtrooms as a Defense Attorney, she has paved the way to work with her passion for football. Even before holding such a powerful position as the Team President for the Las Vegas Raiders, she was already making a name for herself as the first Black person to hold the title of the city attorney for North Las Vegas. Sarah was also named vice chair of Las Vegas’ host committee for the past Super Bowl in February this year.
Amy Trask
Before Sarah, there was Amy Trask, the first-ever female CEO of an NFL team. From 1997 until 2013, Amy worked in that position for the Oakland Raiders, being named by their fans the “Princess of Darkness.” Since retiring from Oakland, she has worked as a football analyst for CBS, being a panelist for its Sports Network’s “We Need to Talk” – the first-ever sports talk show featuring an all-female cast. She has paved the way for many women following her.
Jennifer King
Jennifer King’s debut year as offensive assistant - running backs for the Chicago Bears starts this season, making her the first African American female assistant position coach in the NFL’s history. She brings over four years of NFL coaching experience, as well as a master’s of science in sports administration from Liberty University and a bachelor’s degree of science in sports management from Guilford College. Being able to assist a running back unit that rushed for over 100 years, 11 times, and with a record of 125 first downs on the ground. Needless to say, the Bears are on the lookout this year with their new offensive assistant - running backs coach.
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