NFL Equality Hero Katie Sowers Will Not Return to 49ers

Katie Sowers is a name that should go down in NFL history. Sowers was the first openly gay NFL coach, in addition to being one of only a handful of women to ever join an NFL coaching staff. The San Francisco 49ers assistant coach will not return to the team for the 2021 season.

“I will sadly not be back,” Sowers wrote in a text message to the San Jose Mercury. She didn’t give a reason, but Inman reported that her contract expired and she will now pursue other opportunities.

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Katie Sowers parts with #49ers coaching staff after four seasons in pioneering role https://t.co/js8VHemdSy #mercnews

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) January 7, 2021

Twitter reacted  to her departure:

Mannnnnnn…
Best of luck coach @KatieSowers https://t.co/Ux1KgiGWJu

— Josh Liao (@JoshLiao) January 7, 2021

Good luck and best wishes to Coach Sowers! #49GM https://t.co/S7NPd61WSs

— MattB (@Matthewburt_) January 7, 2021

🐐🐐 @KatieSowers first female coach in SB history https://t.co/qhEV7iMKL6

— jake (@jshoultz19) January 7, 2021

Katie Sowers broke boundaries that many believed were impossible. Sowers was apart of a coaching staff that won the NFC. Inspiring little girls watching TV all over the globe on the NFL's biggest stage. We are excited to see Sowers continue her journey across the NFL.#49GM https://t.co/xs7fBBkuEM

— 49ers Gold Mine (@49ersGoldMine) January 7, 2021

Katie will always be a trailblazer. Excited to see what's next for her https://t.co/D6bdA41YiC

— Nuts & Bolts Sports (@NutsAndBoltsSP) January 7, 2021

Can't wait to see where she lands next. https://t.co/MHbVPkxwtV

— Thomas Warren (@tewarren) January 7, 2021

Wow. Big news here. Can’t wait to see what’s next for @KatieSowers https://t.co/vPm7hPS86B

— Dustin Dorsey (@DustinABC7) January 7, 2021

Katie Sowers was recently named one of Outsports’ People of the Year.

“This has been a year full of ups and downs,” Sowers told Outsports. “From going to the Super Bowl, to the pandemic, and to losing my dad — this award has been a reminder that we all have the ability to make a difference regardless of the circumstance and I am honored to know that I join a list of such amazing ‘agents of change.’

“I believe 2020 helped teach me a lot of things. It helped to reiterate that being visible doesn’t mean just visible through the good times, but visible through the bad as well. 2020 has been a difficult year for so many and it’s important that we do what we can to let people know they are not alone.”

Katie Sowers is definitely a trailblazer, hopefully more opportunities will emerge for women and the LGBTQ with the San Francisco 49ers and across the NFL. A league that fights for equality on one front must enforce those same standards on all fronts.

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