Advertisement

Katie Sowers Is The First Female And Openly Gay Person To Coach In A Super Bowl

When the San Francisco 49ers take the field against the Kansas City Chiefs at Super Bowl LIV, it will be a historical moment for offensive assistant coach Katie Sowers.

The 49ers’ victory over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday means Sowers, who has worked for the Niners since 2017, will become the first female assistant on an NFL coaching staff to work in a Super Bowl, according to Sporting News.

Sowers, 33, is also the NFL’s only openly LGBT coach, making her role in the Feb. 2 championship game doubly historic.

49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo gives Sowers a lot of credit for the work she’s done with the team’s receivers.

“She been tremendous,” Garoppolo told CBS San Francisco. “Katie was here before I was, but just what she does with the receivers, all the skill positions guys, how she interacts with them. It’s special. She’s feisty, man. Katie is awesome out there. She’ll get after guys … It’s fun to be around.”

Before going into coaching, Sowers played pro ball and was part of the 2013 U.S. Women’s National American Football team that won the International Federation of American Football’s world championship game by defeating Canada 64-0.

A hip injury led her to retire in 2016, but she was invited to be an intern for the Atlanta Falcons, where she met Kyle Shanahan, who later hired her when he became the 49ers’ head coach.

“Katie did a real good job for us in Atlanta, she’s done a really good job here,” Shanahan told OutSports.com. “She helps [passing game coach] Mike LaFleur out, just with some rotations, and she helps our quality control [coaches] out just with all the stuff they have to do.”

“She’s a hard worker, you don’t even notice her because she just goes to work and does what’s asked.”

Actually, Sowers is starting to get noticed, thanks to a commercial for Microsoft Surface that has been airing during the NFL playoffs:

Also on HuffPost

Baby Bump For Tickets

In 2007, mother-to-be Jennifer Gordon offered to paint a company's logo on her baby bump <a href="http://www.whotv.com/who-mom-to-bewilltradebellyfo-5982684jan24,0,5091212.story" target="_hplink">for Super Bowl XLVI tickets</a>. The winner? UBid.com.

Auction A Date

In 2007,  <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/crashthesuperbowl/7-people-who-would-do-anything-for-super-bowl-tick" target="_hplink">Sarah Spain posted an eBay ad offering to accompany someone to the Super Bowl.</a> Someone was obviously reading -- AXE offered to provide Spain with three tickets and hold a nationwide contest to find her lucky date. <br>Since then, she's landed a gig at <a href="http://www.sportsbuzz.com/teams/chicago-bears" target="_hplink">mouthpiecesports.com</a> and a commercial spot with Bears kick returner/wide receiver Devin Hester.

Name My Baby

Last year, this man posted an ad on Craigslist allowing one lucky person to name his child for two Super Bowl tickets. Of course, a name like Batman Fartypants would not fly.
Last year, this man posted an ad on Craigslist allowing one lucky person to name his child for two Super Bowl tickets. Of course, a name like Batman Fartypants would not fly.

A Perfect Smile

In 2008, a dentist in Randolph, New Jersey offered a free "$10, 000 cosmetic smile makeover" for two Super Bowl tickets, according to NJ.com.
In 2008, a dentist in Randolph, New Jersey offered a free "$10, 000 cosmetic smile makeover" for two Super Bowl tickets, according to NJ.com.

Lifetime Supply Of Ice Cream

One New York Craigslist ad in 2008, offered a lifetime supply of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery in exchange for two Super Bowl tickets.
One New York Craigslist ad in 2008, offered a lifetime supply of ice cream from Cold Stone Creamery in exchange for two Super Bowl tickets.

Ice-Cold 12 Pack Of Beer

His quote just says it all, "I have a very cold...actually, an ice cold!! 12 pack of bud light..that I am willing to trade for two tickets to the superbowl. This 12 pack is not like other 12 packs, it was purchased at the biggest dive liquor store in Lowell, Mass. Everyone can relate to an ice cold 12 pack..it's been there for us whenever we need it.....I have no use for this 12 pack anymore....i've moved up to 18 packs now...but that's a different story...anyways...hit me up if interested!!"

Tradesies

At least this Indianapolis <a href="http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tix/2808999696.html" target="_hplink">resident has options</a>. According to this person's Craigslist ad, he or she is willing to trade a camper, boat or work van for Sunday's big game.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.