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Arizona Cardinals: Jen Welter’s Wait Is Over

By Russell S. Baxter

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If there is a right place for anyone to make coaching news in the National Football League, it’s Arizona.

This past season, Bruce Arians was named the NFL Coach of the Year and then-defensive coordinator Todd Bowles (now the leader of the New York Jets) was the Associated Press’ first-ever NFL Assistant Coach of the Year.

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The duo helped lead a Cardinals’ team, consistently depleted at both quarterback and running back, to an 11-5 record and a playoff appearance.

Now there’s even more significant news when it comes to this year’s staff. On Monday, the team announced that they had added a pair of significant additions in former NFL linebacker Levon Kirkland as well as 14-year professional football player Dr. Jen Welter for training camp and the preseason.

“Coaching is nothing more than teaching,” said Arians to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com on Monday. “One thing I have learned from players is, ‘How are you going to make me better?

Jun 9, 2015; Tempe, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals head coach Bruce Arians (right) talks with general manager Steve Keim during minicamp practice at the Cardinals Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Arians added more. “If you can make me better, I don’t care if you’re the Green Hornet, man, I’ll listen.’ I really believe she’ll have a great opportunity with this internship through training camp to open some doors for her.”

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Of course, Welter (who is thought to be the first female coach in the NFL) is the one drawing all the attention. She will assist with the inside linebackers while Kirkland will work with the outside linebackers.

As documented by Urban, Welter’s resume is impressive when it comes to not only the game of football but sports as well. In May of 2014, she spoke in an interview about her experience playing for the Texas Revolution of the Indoor Champions League. Brad Townsend of DallasNews.com talks about Welter’s work as a coach for the Revolution this past season.

And it’s safe to say she certainly made an impression on the current sideline leader of the Arizona Cardinals.

“She came for an OTA and I met her,” said Arians, who begins his third season with the franchise. “And I thought she was the type of person that could handle this in a very positive way for women and open that door.”

And now that door is now one that leads to an NFL locker room.

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