100 of the Most Influential Women in Sport >> Coaches

Katie Sowers, USA

American Football

It may come as a surprise to see the NFL entwined with such a positive message given the league has been marked by regressive issues over the years. But Katie Sowers is proving to be a massive step in the right direction after earning the right to ascend into a position as the NFL’s second full-time female coach, and now its only active one. Sowers is an offensive assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers having converted a seasonal intern role to a full-time position in 2017. And the 32-year-old is a testament to the ethos of willing a dream into reality. When Becky Hammon was hired as an assistant with the San Antonio Spurs in 2014, Sowers posted a screenshot of the news alongside a picture of herself with the caption: “NFL, I’m coming for you.” She was right. Her tale is a groundbreaking one and the aim now is to one day become a head coach. Sowers uses her platform to champion others to achieve their dreams regardless of gender or any other inequality.

– Becky Hammon’s success as an NBA coach played a massive part in Sowers pursuing a career in the NFL as she’s spoken about her inspirational emergence.

– She has partnered with the SheBelieves movement started by the US Women’s National Soccer Team to help break down gender barriers.

– Sowers earned a master’s degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in pedagogy from the University of Central Missouri in 2012.

Did you know…

Sowers understanding of the game stems from her own playing career in tackle football as a quarterback for the Kansas City Titans in the Women’s Football Alliance.

“Coaching is teaching, and we never question the ability of a woman to teach in our schools so why question it now,. It’s teamwork, the x’s and o’s of the game, how to motivate people, it’s not something you get from being a male.” – Katie Sowers (Source: fansided.com)

Twitter: @KatieSowers

Instagram: katesowers5