Jennifer King on Historic NFL Job with WFT: “Representation Means So Much” | Launderer report

Jennifer King has spent part of the last three seasons working as an intern for the Carolina Panthers and the Washington football team under the direction of head coach Ron Rivera. On Tuesday, she was officially announced as the Washington’s assistant running back coach.

King spoke about the promotion and what it means for the first black woman in the NFL to take an assistant coaching position.

“Performance means so much,” she told ESPN’s John Keim. “It’s really important right now to be a good rep, which I didn’t have growing up. I didn’t have anyone at work that looked like me. Being able to see that, I think, is great. . It’s super cool to be a part of that. “

Hiring King is an important step forward given the shortage of female coaches and the disproportionate number of white coaches and front-office executives.

“It’s so important to open up the entire pool of candidates when you have a position,” she said. “So far historically in football it’s only 50 percent of people; no women have been counted. For future coaches, that gives them a foot in the door. us to do a good job. ”