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Cardinals name woman to training camp coach position

In this Feb. 12, 2014, photo, Jen Welter puts her helmet on before the start of the Texas Revolution practice at Bradford Crossing Park in Allen, Texas. The Arizona Cardinals have hired Welter to coach inside linebackers through their upcoming training camp and preseason. ``I am honored to be a part of this amazing team,’’ Welter said on Twitter, Monday, July 27, 2015. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY; NO SALES
In this Feb. 12, 2014, photo, Jen Welter puts her helmet on before the start of the Texas Revolution practice at Bradford Crossing Park in Allen, Texas. The Arizona Cardinals have hired Welter to coach inside linebackers through their upcoming training camp and preseason. ``I am honored to be a part of this amazing team,’’ Welter said on Twitter, Monday, July 27, 2015. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY; NO SALES

By Associated Press 3 min read

TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) – The Arizona Cardinals have hired Jen Welter to coach inside linebackers through their upcoming training camp and preseason.

The Cardinals say Welter is believed to be the first woman to hold a coaching position of any kind in the NFL. Welter played running back and special teams in 2014 for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Football League, becoming the first woman to hold a non-kicking position for a men’s professional sports league.

“I am honored to be a part of this amazing team,” Welter said on Twitter on Monday night.

Welter coached linebackers and special teams for the Revolution last season, becoming the first woman to coach in a men’s pro football league. Her general manager with the Revolution was 2015 NFL Hall of Fame inductee Tim Brown.

Welter played linebacker for more than 14 seasons in the Women’s Football Alliance, mostly with the Dallas Diamonds, where she helped the team win four championships. Welter holds a master’s degree in sports psychology. A rugby player at Boston College, she also earned two gold medals on Team USA at the International Federation of Football Women’s World Championships in 2009 and 2013.