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Browns Callie Brownson to be first female positional coach in NFL history

By Cole Thompson

ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 20: (L-R) General Manager Brandon Beane and Buffalo Bills coaching intern Callie Brownson joke together on the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on October 20, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Miami 31-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NY - OCTOBER 20: (L-R) General Manager Brandon Beane and Buffalo Bills coaching intern Callie Brownson joke together on the field before the game against the Miami Dolphins at New Era Field on October 20, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. Buffalo defeats Miami 31-21. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /
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One day after the NCAA makes history, the Cleveland Browns will make history in the NFL 

Earlier this week, Vanderbilt made history in the second half of their outing against the Missouri Tigers. Sarah Fuller, the Commodores’ woman’s soccer goalie, became the first woman in FBS history to play for a Power 5 program when she kicked off to begin the third quarter.

Now, the NFL will follow suit with the addition of Callie Brownson in Cleveland.

Brownson, the Browns Chief of Staff, will become the first female positional coach in NFL history in Cleveland’s game Sunday against the Jaguars in Jacksonville. She will fill in for tight ends coach Drew Petzing, who will not make the trip after his wife gave birth to their first child Saturday morning.

Brownson quickly has risen up the ranks in coaching

This won’t be the first time Brownson has coached before in her career. Back in 2018, Dartmouth made Brownson the first full-time woman coach in Division I history.

The following season, Brownson joined the Buffalo Bills staff under Sean McDermott as an intern. This past season, she was highly regarded, leading to Browns’ coach Kevin Stefanski hiring her as a liaison between coaches and personnel.

Due to the per new NFL rules, teams are required to announce when a coach misses a game in 2020. Teams also must disclose who will be taking over their roles and for how long. With all the COVID-19 protocols happening in the world, moments like this usually will be covered, but instead, Brownson earns her keep.

Multiple women have been involved with the NFL over the past several seasons. Back in 2015, Jen Welter broke the barrier when former Cardinals coach Bruce Arians hired her as an intern. A year later, Kathryn Smith became the NFL’s first female full-time coach for the Bills. And last season, Katie Sowers became the first woman and openly-gay coach to coach in a Super Bowl.

Multiple barriers have been broken this weekend. This is another fine moment in the history of football. Congratulations to Brownson and best of luck while hoping to keep the Browns involved in the postseason picture.

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