May 7th 2024.
Jennifer King, the first Black woman to coach full-time in the NFL, recently sat down for a conversation at Cornell University's "Breaking Barriers: The First Black Woman to Coach in the NFL" event on May 3. Sponsored by Black Student Empowerment, the event focused on diversity and representation in sports, something that King is deeply passionate about. She shared her personal journey in the world of athletics, from playing semi-pro football to coaching college basketball, and finally breaking into the NFL.
King spoke about the tremendous growth that women have seen in the NFL, noting the stark contrast between her first attendance at the 2018 NFL Women's Forum, where she met only 40 women with outside jobs, and this year's forum, where there are now more women working in football. She emphasized the importance of being a role model for young women and providing representation in a field where it was previously lacking.
King's journey to the NFL was not an easy one. It spanned over 13 years, playing in the Women's Football Alliance league before transitioning to coaching in college basketball. She often held multiple jobs to supplement her income and eventually landed at Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte, where she led the team to a remarkable 22-4 record and their first United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II championship in 2018. Despite her success, King knew her true passion was in football and made the bold decision to leave coaching basketball to pursue her dream.
During her conversation at Cornell, King encouraged attendees to not be afraid of taking risks and making the leap into the unknown. Her determination and perseverance paid off when she became one of only 12 women holding full-time coaching positions in the NFL. Her first opportunity came as an assistant coach at Dartmouth College and with the now-defunct Arizona Hotshots of the Alliance of American Football. She then went on to intern for the Carolina Panthers before being hired by coach Ron Rivera for the Washington Commanders. King made history once again when she was promoted to assistant running backs coach, and most recently, in her new assistant coaching position with the Chicago Bears, becoming the franchise's first female coach in over 100 years.
Despite the progress made, King acknowledges that there is still work to be done in terms of gender equality in sports. However, she remains positive and hopeful for the future, stating that we are entering a new era where having women in these positions is no longer seen as something new or unusual. King has dedicated her platform to closing the gap in sports and creating community programs for children, through her involvement with organizations such as the NFL Women's Forum, Women's Sports Foundation, and her own King Group organization.
In conclusion, Jennifer King's journey to becoming the first Black woman to coach full-time in the NFL is nothing short of inspiring. She continues to break barriers and pave the way for more diversity and representation in the world of sports. Through her hard work, determination, and passion, she serves as a role model for young women and a beacon of hope for a more inclusive and equal future in athletics.
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