It's been a year of landmark moments for Katie Sowers, assistant coach for San Francisco 49ers. After becoming only the second woman to be hired by the NFL as a full-time assistant coach, she has also become the league's first openly LGBT coach.
"No matter what you do in life, one of the most important things is to be true to who you are," Sowers told Outsportsabout her decision to openly discuss her sexuality. "There are so many people who identify as LGBT in the NFL, as in any business, that do not feel comfortable being public about their sexual orientation."
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After working as a scouting intern for the Atlanta Falcons in 2016, Sowers met the Falcons' then-offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who now serves as the 49ers head coach. Reconnecting with Shanahan, Sowers took on another internship with the 49ers, this time resulting in the full-time assistant coach offer for the 2017 season.
"The more we create an environment that welcomes all types of people, no matter their race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, the more we can help ease the pain and burden that many carry every day," Sowers said. Read Outsports full profile, here.
