The NFL is a male dominated industry however it has made some strides in recent years to change that lets take a look at the history within the league.
The ties between the NFL and feminism, an International Women's day Special
HOUSTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 13: NFL official Sarah Thomas waits on the field during the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
Sarah Thomas is most likely the household name NFL fans know when it comes to this topic, in 2015 she became the first ever female referee in a professional football game.
She went on to to reach the highest heights a referee could reach, as she officiated the 2021 Super Bowl, her toughness could never be questioned as she once broke her wrist in the first quarter of a Minnesota Vikings game, she went onto finish the game.
Moreover, Super Bowl LIV featured the first ever female coach in offensive assistant Katie Sowers, Sowers coached in the NFL for five years across three teams, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and the Atlanta Falcons.
She once famously said, “To know that I could have an impact on opening a door for young girls who want to play football that’s what really drives me.”
Another famous case of a female a coach is of course Jennifer king who became the first black female coach to be full time in the NFL, coaching in professional football for over 10 years.
LANDOVER, MARYLAND - OCTOBER 09: Washington Commanders assistant running backs coach Jennifer King coaches during warm ups before her team's game against the Tennessee Titans against the at FedExField on October 09, 2022 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
She once said, “Football is football. If you know the game and you can coach, that’s what matters."
In terms of other aspects of the league, in recent years there has been a massive overhaul in player conduct policy, this came following the high profile case of Ray Lewis.
After the line backer assaulted his partner, the league changed the policy to a harsh suspension rule, larger fines for players as well as large amounts of funding for anti-violence groups.
Jane McManus a sports journalist and feminist activist said on the NFL's policy change, “The NFL reacts when public pressure demands it.”
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 21: Gabrielle Reece, Jane McManus and Lisa Leslie attend day 2 of the 4th Annual WIE Symposium at Center 548 on September 21, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Laura Cavanaugh/Getty Images)
Interestingly the NFL has a 40% female fan base, according to Forbes in 2019, with an increasing numbers of female journalists, executives and front room staff.
Kay Adams at the 13th Annual NFL Honors held at Resorts World Theatre on February 8, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Variety via Getty Images)
However the highly successful and influential Kay Adams iconically said, “The fact that people still ask me about being a woman in sports shows that we still have a problem.”
So it is not all sunshine and rainbows within the NFL even if there has been strides to move the league into a more modern time.
Feminist activist Roxane Gay stating, Kay Adams “You can love football and still hold the NFL accountable for the culture it promotes.”
Overall, the NFL has made some small adjustments there is always more that these big organisations could be doing.