Many of the fans tuning in to watch the Cleveland Browns vs the Washington Football Team had no idea they were watching NFL history in the making.
Not only did the Browns 34-20 victory mark their first week above .500 in 90 weeks, but the game also created a first in NFL history. The September 27th match-up brought together a scenario where both the home and away teams had a woman on the sidelines in an official function as well as a female official on the field.
The Cleveland/Washington game was business as usual for NFL official, Sarah Thomas. Thomas, the leagueโs first full-time female official, began her career with the NFL in 2015.
On the visiting teamโs sideline, Jennifer King was working as Washingtonโs full-year coaching intern. King has experience working with the Washington Football Teamโs head coach, Ron Rivera. She interned with the Carolina Pantherโs in 2018 and 2019 when Rivera was the head coach.
Across the field, Callie Brownson was busy in her role as the Chief of Staff for Cleveland Brownโs Head Coach Kevin Stefanski. Last season Brownson worked as a full-time coaching intern with the Buffalo Bills organization.
Even though it seems odd that the NFL needed 100 years to align the appearance of two female coaches and a female official, this could be a sign of things to come. Members of the broadcast team mentioned the impact these women can have on the girls at home, watching football with their dads.
The game impacted me on a personal level. From the time I could walk, I was one of those girls going to games and watching at home with my dad.
Iโve been ridiculed for my love of sports and had my knowledge dismissed. In 2016, I finally earned the chance to write about the sports I love, and I appreciate the opportunity every day. While I donโt compare myself to the coaches and officials at the Cleveland/Washington game, there is vindication seeing these women succeed at such a high level.
In a season (and a year) filled with variations and division, seeing positive changes helps push us out of the darkness 2020 heaped upon us and moves us towards a fair playing field for everyone.
If you enjoy hearing from the legends of pro sports, then be sure to tune into โThe Grueling Truthโ sports shows, โWhere the legends speakโ
Contact us: [email protected]
Players must be 21 years of age or older or reach the minimum age for gambling in their respective state and located in jurisdictions where online gambling is legal. Please play responsibly. Bet with your head, not over it. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, call or visit: (a) the Council on Compulsive Gambling of New Jersey at 1-800-Gambler or www.800gambler.org; or (b) Gamblers Anonymous at 855-2-CALL-GA or www.gamblersanonymous.org.
This site is using Cloudflare and adheres to the Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted Google's Privacy Guidelines to keep your data safe at all times.