NFL’s first female scout applauds Bills’ coach hiring

In this provided by the Buffalo Bills, Bills’ Head coach Rex Ryan poses with assistant football coach Kathryn Smith Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Smith, who has worked with Ryan for seven years, has become the first, full time, female assistant coach in the National Football League. (Anna Stolzenberg/Buffalo Bills via AP) In this provided by the Buffalo Bills, Bills’ Head coach Rex Ryan poses with assistant football coach Kathryn Smith Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016, in Orchard Park, N.Y. Smith, who has worked with Ryan for seven years, has become the first, full time, female assistant coach in the National Football League. (Anna Stolzenberg/Buffalo Bills via AP)

By Associated Press January 23, 2016 5 min read

NEW YORK (AP) – Armed with notepads, pens and a keen eye for talent, Connie Carberg is still scouting football players.

She simply can’t get enough of breaking down film. That’s why the 64-year-old Carberg was spending Saturday in front of her television at home in Coconut Creek, Florida, watching the East-West Shrine Game and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

“I love it,” Carberg said. “When draft time comes, I’ve got all my notes on every player.”

Carberg was the first woman to serve as a scout for an NFL team, working with the New York Jets in the 1970s. She was excited Wednesday when the Buffalo Bills hired Kathryn Smith as the league’s first full-time female assistant coach.

“It caught me totally by surprise,” Carberg told The Associated Press in a phone interview. “I started seeing things on the news and on Twitter, and then I was like, ‘Wow!’ I just got really excited. I think it’s a great opportunity for women.”