When the Arizona Cardinals hired Jen Welter as their coaching intern in late July, she was the first female coach of any kind in NFL history.
But that internship expired after the team's third preseason game this past Sunday (August 30) and Welter is out of the NFL...for now at least.
I loved every minute w/ my @AZCardinals.Thank you @BruceArians, Steve Keim, Michael Bidwell, the players, & coaches. #birdagme #HOF #history
— Dr. Jen Welter (@jwelter47) September 3, 2015
Welter, who was assisting with coaching the Cardinals' linebackers, even re-tweeted a message from Katie Couric, saying that coach Bruce Arians needs to hire her as a full-time coach.
Even with the disappointment, though, Welter thought the experience and clear resume builder marked a victory.
"I consider this a complete win," she told the Associated Press. "The biggest question coming in was would guys in the NFL respond to a woman coaching them, and the obvious answer is yes."
Upon learning the news, Cardinals' players offered their support of Welter's continued mission to coach in the NFL and praised her work ethic.
"She's a great lady," Cardinals linebacker Kevin Minter told the Associated Press. "She's helped a lot and she's a stickler about fundamentals and what not. She knows a lot about making you better as a person, too, with the notes she left on your locker, the words of encouragement from what she sees on film. She was like a real good person to feed off of."
Welter, 37, had played linebacker for 14 years in women's football leagues, and, even played running back and coached linebackers for the Texas Revolution men's professional indoor football franchise last year.
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