Photo by Chris Mezzavilla/KNBR
Two weeks ago, the San Francisco 49ers announced the hiring of assistant coach Katie Sowers, who became only the second full-time female assistant coach in the history of the NFL. Perhaps even more significant, Sowers is also the first openly LGBT coach, man or woman, ever to walk on an NFL sideline.
“No matter what you do in life, one of the most important things is to be true to who you are,” Sowers, openly lesbian, told Outsports when asked why she is discussing her sexual orientation publicly for the first time. “There are so many people who identify as LGBT in the NFL, as in any business, that do not feel comfortable being public about their sexual orientation.
“The more we can create an environment that welcomes all types of people, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, the more we can help ease the pain and burden that many carry every day.”
Sowers, 31, began her coaching career as an intern with Kyle Shanahan and the Atlanta Falcons last season. She then followed Shanahan to San Francisco this year, where she again started the offseason as an intern in the Bill Walsh NFL Diversity Fellowship program, before Shanahan decided to retain her as a full-time assistant, who works mostly with the wide receivers.
“Katie’s done, she did a really good job for us in Atlanta,” Shanahan said. “She’s done a real good job here. She helps [wide receivers coach/passing game specialist] Mike LaFleur out just with some rotations. She helps our quality controls out with all the stuff they have to do. She’s a hard worker. You don’t even notice her because she just goes to work and does what’s asked and because of that she’s someone we would like to keep around. We’re still figuring out exactly titles and stuff and what that aspect is, but she’s done a good job for us two years in a row in camp. We’d like to have her help out throughout the year.”
“Katie is a baller, 100 percent,” 49ers wide receiver Marquise Goodwin said. “She understands the game. She’s very familiar with the game. She played in a women’s league and it may be a little different, but she definitely has the attitude it takes to be in that room. She brings a great vibe and she understands so I’m happy that she’s on staff.”
A Kansas native, Sowers previously played football professionally and for the U.S. national team, as a quarterback, wide receiver, linebacker and safety.
Sowers mentioned in her interview with Outsports that she has not been hired for coaching jobs in the past due to her sexual orientation.
“As I was finishing college, I actually got turned down from a volunteer coaching job (basketball) because I was a lesbian,” Sowers said. “I was told “because of your lifestyle, we ask that you do not come around the team.
“That moment really impacted me because it was the first time I truly felt judged because of my sexual orientation. I was so passionate about coaching and to feel like my opportunities were limited because of who I loved was hard to deal with. However, without that experience I would not be where I am today.”