Few stories of ours have been as popular as the news that San Francisco 49ers assistant coach Katie Sowers will make history by being both the first woman, and the first out gay member of an NFL team’s coaching staff to take part in a Super Bowl. For those living under a rock or those who are not fans of American football, the Niners will meet the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, Feb. 2 in Miami, with kickoff at 6:30pm.
And don’t think we haven’t noticed that readers who cannot get enough of this historic moment in LGBT sports history are mostly drowning out those few, sad solitary voices who have asked why it should matter that Sowers, who came out in 2017 in Outsports, is lesbian.
Because it does. You can read her own comments on the subject by clicking here.
Excitement for Sowers has filled the Twitterverse with photos of her broad smile, applause from other sports stars and celebrities, and even an old video of her own legendary prowess on the gridiron. Here’s just a sample, beginning with the Women’s World Cup winners:
Big congrats to our friend @KatieSowers on that NFC title and for making history! She'll be the first woman to coach at a Super Bowl. Love to see it. #BeLegendary pic.twitter.com/UvJWF7xcC8
— U.S. Soccer WNT (@USWNT) January 20, 2020
Phenomenal @KatieSowers 👏🏼 👏🏼 👏🏼 https://t.co/jntZrgOGq4
— Hope Solo (@hopesolo) January 21, 2020
I LOVE YOU, @KatieSowers. Thanks for being you and giving my Bella someone to look up to. https://t.co/f1hluzVbGL
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) January 20, 2020
Congratulations to @KatieSowers of the @49ers, who will become the first woman to coach in the #SuperBowl.
— Billie Jean King (@BillieJeanKing) January 20, 2020
You have to see it to be it! 👏#NFL #trailblazer https://t.co/pWSGdo2FKI
As IWF member @BillieJeanKing says: You have to see it to be it! Katie Sowers will become the FIRST woman in @NFL history to coach in a #SuperBowl. 👏 https://t.co/bjfA3b29i4 pic.twitter.com/pU8jh2BsjD
— International Women's Forum (@IWFglobal) January 21, 2020
Congratulations to @49ers assistant coach @KatieSowers, who will become the first female and first openly gay coach to compete in the #SuperBowl! 🏳️🌈🏈
— Human Rights Campaign (@HRC) January 21, 2020
Congratulations @KatieSowers! #NOH8 https://t.co/1xosVbhdf5
— NOH8 Campaign (@NOH8Campaign) January 20, 2020
.@KatieSowers, the first female to coach in the Super Bowl, used to tear it up in the Women's Football Alliance 😳
— espnW (@espnW) January 21, 2020
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/VQ3YTHSXxi
But the best, most heartwarming messages so far, have come from moms and dads, inspired by both her work with the team and her appearance in a moving TV commercial for Microsoft’s tablet.
This is my daughter Alley #32. She was the first female to play football on her middle school team. I hope your daughter never gives up on her dreams. Alley did it so she can too! pic.twitter.com/TgX7yWvOtt
— Chris Ethridge(Sw33ps) (@Stockboygamer) January 21, 2020
@KatieSowers your commercial came on my TV as my daughter was in the room. I explained your journey. But also how you should have a league. You're amazing. An inspiration. Hopefully there will be a league the NFL supports. 🐐sisters. pic.twitter.com/biYJk4yBJO
— Jimmy Meeks (@HTTR4LifeNorCal) January 19, 2020
That little girl centering the ball is my daughter Isabella and my son Diego is the QB. We live in Mexico City and we're huge football enthusiasts. Could you say hi and let them know dreams like yours can come true if you work really hard? Thanks and #GoNiners!!! pic.twitter.com/ptDdKGpRBP
— Javier Fucens 🎾 (@senorcacomixtle) January 20, 2020
Tonight,my 12 year old daughter and I saw the commercial featuring @KatieSowers.For months, Hailey has struggled with her identity. After that commercial, she turned to me and said, “Daddy, I’ll be okay. Now I know I can do anything.” My family bleeds green but GO @49ers!!
— Brian (@4for4Phillyfan) January 16, 2020
@KatieSowers I want to say thank you for being a shining example for my daughter that women can do anything men can & probably better lol. Raising them on my own is tough & lacking a mother figure I rely on women of your caliber. Again thank you & good luck. pic.twitter.com/zakyq35aFW
— IWC Nation (@TheGingerProxy) January 20, 2020
I showed my daughter the new Katie Sowers (49ers Female Assistant Coach) commercial. My daughter responded, “I want to be the first female NFL player.” Thanks @katiesowers
— JJH (@jjhiler) January 11, 2020
And we end with some tweets by and about Katie’s twin sister Liz:
In the 4 years my sister has been in the NFL… she will now be going to her 2nd Super Bowl of those 4 yrs. 1 as a scout w/ the Falcons, and now as a COACH. Think about that for a second. 2 of 4 years. @KatieSowers #WomenInSport #breakingbarriers @49ers @MJAcostaTV @Microsoft
— liz sowers (@lizsowers3) January 20, 2020
Did we mention Liz is Katie’s twin?
Hey @49ers fans. Can someone make me a tshirt that says “not katie” or “I’m Liz” … kinda kidding. Kinda
— liz sowers (@lizsowers3) January 19, 2020
Here they are:
After the game I got to share a moment w/ #49ers offensive assistant coach @KatieSowers and her twin sister @lizsowers3 It will be an interesting #SuperBowlLIV for the Sowers fam who are from Kansas City. Katie has the KC skyline tattooed on her arm! @nflnetwork @strongsidenfl pic.twitter.com/teHOmVLp8N
— MJ Acosta (@MJAcostaTV) January 20, 2020
Those KC roots are more than skin-deep for Liz and Katie:
Melba… I’m coming to Bonner springs when I get home to Kansas City. YOU, my friend are the only thing that tugs at my heart when I think about playing the chiefs. New niner fan in the making? @KatieSowers pic.twitter.com/SnBecxtwr7
— liz sowers (@lizsowers3) January 21, 2020
Win or lose, Sowers will make history. Outsports will be there to bring you the story.
