Katie Sowers didn't get to the NFL by accident.
The San
Francisco 49ers assistant offensive coach was only the second female
ever hired to coach in America's most popular sport because of an
unyielding work ethic, knowledge of sport and ability to teach the game.
But she clearly didn't just want to make it to the NFL. She's in for the long haul.
How can she accomplish that?
"I knew no matter what job I wanted, I wanted to make an impact on that team," she said. "From that moment on, I knew I was going to better myself. I knew I had a lot of work in front of me. I had to better educate myself. ... I had to get to a point where I couldn't be replaced."
In a "Play Like a Girl" podcast with Nikki B. released in the summer, she gives detailed examples how she went about that.
The
daughter of a college basketball coach and twin of a Division I college
basketball player, Sowers' journey began as a standout multi-sport athlete
both in high school and college.
At the end of her college career, she pursued her first love to
play football, and earned the starting quarterback spot with the Kansas
City Titans of the Women's Football Alliance. She also played on the USA
Women's National Team.
During that time, coaching flashed on
her radar, and when Becky Hammon earned a spot on the NBA's San Antonio Spurs'
coaching staff, Sowers wrote a simple but clear message on
her Instagram page:
"NFL, I'm coming for you."
And now she and the 49ers are all on board.
