First Black Woman to be Full-Year Intern in NFL History

Jennifer King is slated to make history when she becomes the first black woman to become a full-time full-year coaching intern in the NFL. And who’s the lucky team? The Washington Redskins, led by head coach Ron Rivera. The Redskins made the announcement on Monday.

Rivera knows firsthand how capable King is because she was a coaching intern for him in 2017. After finishing her internship, King was an offensive assistant in 2019 for Dartmouth College. Rivera’s glowing words for King reiterated the double standard that women face when being considered for coaching positions on men’s teams. Acknowledging that everyone deserves an opportunity, Rivera said that King’s coaching position will allow her to excel in the work she loves. And, according to Rivera, King’s knowledge of the game is nothing less than impressive.

Beyond her football acumen, King was also a championship basketball coach. As assistant basketball coach for Greensboro College for 10 years, from 2006 through 2016, King helped coach the team to five conference titles. And as the head coach for Johnson & Wales, King was named the USCAA Division II National Coach of the Year after leading the team to that Division’s national championship in 2018.

From a young North Carolina girl who grew up playing football in her backyard, Jennifer King is now coaching players in that same sport.