Current:Home > NewsJennifer King becomes Bears' first woman assistant coach. So, how about head coach spot?-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Jennifer King becomes Bears' first woman assistant coach. So, how about head coach spot?
View Date:2024-12-23 19:44:02
In February for Black History Month, USA TODAY Sports is publishing the series "29 Black Stories in 29 Days." We examine the issues, challenges and opportunities Black athletes and sports officials continue to face after the nation’s reckoning on race following the murder of George Floyd in 2020. This is the fourth installment of the series.
In 2021, the Washington Commanders hired Jennifer King as an assistant coach, making her the first Black woman in NFL history ever to be a full-time assistant coach. She's about to make history again.
King has been hired by the Chicago Bears as an assistant working with the running backs. The Bears say she's the first woman assistant coach in the 104-year history of the team. The team hired its first full-time woman scout in 2021.
"Jennifer King is an exceptional leader and passionate coach who will be a positive addition to the Chicago Bears," President & CEO Kevin Warren said in a statement on the team's website. "As the first full-time Black female coach in the history of the National Football League, Jennifer has established herself as a hard worker, pioneer, and trailblazer."
Two steps forward, one step back: NFL will have zero non-white offensive coordinators
"Chicago is a great city, and the Bears organization is historic," King said. "I started paying attention to the Bears playing video games like Tecmo Bowl back in the day because Walter Payton was unstoppable in the game. I used to always play with them on there. Then obviously working for coach (Ron) Rivera, he's been so important in my life and him being a part of those historic defenses with the Bears as well. It's definitely an exciting time. Hopefully we can hit the ground running and get ready for 2024.
"To be a first in such a historic organization is a special moment. To be a part of that culture that's in the building is exciting. I think we're going to do some really cool things and I'm definitely excited for the upcoming season."
Why is this important? The story of race in the NFL is a huge topic but so is the story of gender. There's no reason why a woman can't be an assistant or head coach in the NFL. If you say wOmiN doNt plAE in tHE nFL well neither did Bill Belichick. Or Bill Walsh. I could go on.
Being a coach is more about brain power, schemes and motivation. Andy Reid played football at a community college; not in the NFL. What makes Reid special isn't that he screams at players or throws chairs in locker rooms. It's how he puts his players in the best position to win with his study and smarts.
It's the same with front office positions.
But if you do want to talk about playing background, she has it. King played quarterback, receiver and defensive back in the Women's Football Alliance.
One day soon we're going to see a woman head coach in the NFL. It might be sooner than we think. Maybe within a decade. NFL owners can be backwards when it comes to race and gender but it won't stay that way with all of them. Some owner will take a chance and we'll look back at people like King as someone who paved the way.
veryGood! (65292)
Related
- Get well, Pop. The Spurs are in great hands until your return
- Reese Witherspoon and Ex Ryan Phillippe Celebrate at Son Deacon's Album Release Party
- New Zealand's national climate plan includes possibly seeking higher ground
- Kerry Washington, LeBron James and More Send Messages to Jamie Foxx Amid Hospitalization
- Birth control and abortion pill requests have surged since Trump won the election
- Amazon Shoppers Say These Best-Selling Cleaning Products Saved Them Time & Money
- More rain hits Kentucky while the death toll from flooding grows
- Zombie ice will raise sea levels more than twice as much as previously forecast
- Will Trump’s hush money conviction stand? A judge will rule on the president-elect’s immunity claim
- Reese Witherspoon and Ex Ryan Phillippe Celebrate at Son Deacon's Album Release Party
Ranking
- CRYPTIFII Introduce
- These Under $50 Jumpsuits Look Much More Expensive Than They Actually Are
- Get Thick, Natural-Looking Eyebrows With This $25 Deal on 2 Top-Selling Too Faced Products
- Mary Peltola, the first Alaska Native heading to Congress, journeys home to the river
- 'Joker 2' actor pans DC sequel as the 'worst film' ever: 'It has no plot'
- Olivia Culpo’s Guide to Coachella: Tips and Tricks To Make the Most of Festival Season
- A Below Deck Sailing Yacht Guest's Toilet Complaint Has Daisy Kelliher Embarrassed and Shocked
- Coachella 2023: See Shawn Mendes, Ariana Madix and More Stars Take Over the Music Festival
Recommendation
-
Taylor Swift gifts 7-year-old '22' hat after promising to meet her when she was a baby
-
Trader Joe’s recalls cookies that could contain rocks: ‘Please do not eat them’
-
Why climate change may be driving more infectious diseases
-
Yellowstone National Park partially reopens after floods
-
Dick Van Dyke says he 'fortunately' won't be around for Trump's second presidency
-
The Ultimatum Reveals First-Ever Queer Love Season Trailer and Premiere Date
-
Camila Cabello and Ex Shawn Mendes Spotted Kissing During Coachella Reunion
-
Wild Horses Could Keep Wildfire At Bay