| Jen Welter | |
| Birth Date: | 27 October 1977 |
| Birth Place: | Vero Beach, Florida |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 2 |
| Weight Lbs: | 130 |
| High School: | Sebastian (FL) River |
| College: | Boston College |
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Dr. Jennifer Welter (born October 27, 1977) is an American football player, coach, academic, entrepreneur, and executive. She was a defensive coaching intern for the National Football League's Arizona Cardinals during their training camp and the 2015 preseason, making her the first female coaching intern in the NFL. This is her third "first" for men's football in 2014 and 2015. As of 2024, she is the chief marketing officer of the Arena Football League.
On February 12, 2015, Champions Indoor Football's Texas Revolution named Welter their linebackers and special teams coach making her the first woman to coach in a men's professional football league. A year prior, the 5inchesft2inchesin (ftin), 130lb Welter was signed by the Revolution as a running back. This made her the second female player for a position other than kicker or placekick-holder on a men's professional football team, and the first at running back. She is not the first female to play a male dominant sport; however, she is the second woman after ice hockey player Hayley Wickenheiser to play a "contact" position in a male dominant sport and the first woman in football to do so.[1]
Welter was featured in Mogul's #IAmAMogul campaign as part of Women's History Month in March 2016 for "changing the perception of what it means to be an NFL coach."[2]
Welter is a veteran of several women's professional and semi-professional football teams (including the Dallas Diamonds and Dallas Dragons). She was a gold medal-winning member of Team USA at the IFAF Women's World Championship in 2010 and 2013. She played rugby in college.[3]
Welter's first action as a Revolution running back came during a preseason game on February 15, 2014, against the North Texas Crunch. Welter rushed for three carries for −1 yards. On February 19, the Revolution named Welter to their 2014 regular season roster.
On February 12, 2015, the Revolution introduced Welter as their new linebackers and special teams coach. She is the first woman to coach in a men's professional football league.
On July 27, 2015, the Arizona Cardinals hired Welter as an assistant coaching intern for training camp and the preseason; as such, she is believed to be the first female coach in the NFL.[4] Her internship with the Cardinals expired after the team's third preseason game on August 30, 2015.[5] Her coaching style does not differ from many, according to Cardinals' Tyrann Mathieu. The Washington Post added, "The biggest question coming in was would guys in the NFL respond to a woman coaching them, and the obvious answer is yes".[6]
On December 11, 2018, Welter was hired by the Atlanta Legends of the newly-formed Alliance of American Football as a defensive specialist under head coach Brad Childress.[7]
Welter was officially hired by the Vegas Vipers on September 13, 2022 as an assistant under Rod Woodson.[8] After the 2023 XFL season, Woodson departed June 11, 2023,[9] with much of the rest of the Vipers staff following the same month;[10] as an assistant coach, Welter's seasonal employment contract expired at the end of that month.[11] The Vipers would not return to play after that season.[12]
On June 25, 2024, Welter was named Chief Marketing Officer with the Arena Football League.[13]
Welter graduated from Boston College and has a master's degree in Sport psychology and a PhD in psychology from Capella University.[14]
In 2015, Jennifer Welter received the Women's Entrepreneurship Day Pioneer Award[15] in recognition for her achievements in the sports world.[16]