logo
Buccaneers held inaugural 'She is Football Weekend' to increase opportunities for women in the NFL

Buccaneers held inaugural 'She is Football Weekend' to increase opportunities for women in the NFL

Independent20-03-2025

More than 800 women filled a concourse inside Raymond James Stadium on the first Friday morning in March for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' inaugural 'She is Football Weekend.'
They heard from Buccaneers co-owner Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, NFL executive Dasha Smith and various female leaders across many industries, participated in a full-day summit featuring small group breakout sessions, and watched a live recording of the 'Calm Down with Erin & Charissa' podcast featuring NFL reporters Erin Andrews and Charissa Thompson. All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs also joined them for an interview.
The two-day event was the latest example of the Buccaneers' dedication to opening more doors and increasing opportunities for women in the NFL. The weekend highlighted women working in the community, showcased girls who play flag football, and helped provide them with valuable mentorship.
Four years ago, Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar became the first female coaches on a team to win the Super Bowl when Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski and the Buccaneers beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.
The Glazer family has a goal to create the next generation of female leaders through the power of sports. They have a mission of developing 50,000 female leaders annually.
The team's ultimate goal is to build off the success of its women's programming and continue strengthening its leadership position among female sports fans throughout the country.
'We want women to be able to network with one another and to find a community together to empower themselves and create a greater network that would benefit them personally and professionally,' Glazer Kassewitz told The Associated Press. 'We have been doing women's events for years, so this is not new for us, but this event is something that we really wanted to become a tentpole event for the Buccaneers organization to show our commitment to the female community in Tampa Bay and beyond, both women and girls.
Glazer Kassewitz, who along with her family launched the Buccaneers National Coaching Academy to create pathways for aspiring NFL coaches last year, pointed to a statistic that said 94% of women in executive positions played sports when they were younger.
'Our goal for this event is to support keeping girls in sports because there is a connection between girls, sports and leadership,' she said. 'Supporting female leadership and the women in our community and championing the development of young girls into leaders is very important to my family.'
The weekend included a 5K run, walk and stroll on Saturday. More than 3,000 people participated. A market festival was held inside the team's training facility featuring women-owned businesses, and there were curated tours throughout the complex that gave young girls an opportunity to learn more about the roles available within a professional sports organization.
Glazer Kassewitz joined one of the tours, engaged with the guests, asked questions, posed for pictures and highlighted for the girls several of the different jobs they could pursue in the future.
'This pillar of empowering women and developing young girls into leaders has been something that the Glazer family has been doing for more than 10 years,' said Kourtney Sanchez, chief impact officer for the Buccaneers. 'Witnessing the incredible response to this inaugural event and feeling the energy here this weekend has reinforced the importance of this mission and reflected our continued commitment to keeping girls and women in the game.'
At the scouting combine last month, the NFL held its ninth annual Women's Forum as part of its ongoing, league-wide commitment to inclusion. More than 250 opportunities have emerged for women in all levels of football since the forum's inception in 2017. Last season, the NFL had 15 full-time women coaches, a league record and most for any male professional sports league in the world.
'We know that as a league, we can't reach our fullest potential without the success and hard work of our clubs uplifting their local communities,' Smith said. 'Thanks to organizations like the Buccaneers, the NFL can continue to advance the game of football and provide unique opportunities for all.'
Smith called the summit 'truly inspiring' and pointed out how women from different backgrounds came together to collaborate and uplift each other.
'I'm eager to see how these connections influence the game of football, impact the local Tampa community, and drive lasting momentum beyond the event, hopefully living on for years to come,' Smith said.
'She Is Football' weekend was such a hit the Buccaneers already announced the next one will be held March 6-7, 2026. Fans from other teams, including the divisional rival New Orleans Saints, showed their appreciation.
Originally conceived as a locally focused event held around the celebration of International Women's Day, the weekend exceeded the organization's expectations, drawing interest from women across the country who traveled to Tampa for a chance to grow their networks, celebrate their shared love of sports, and possibly find career inspiration.
'I was never at something like this where you could pick the brains of people that are in the positions that maybe someday you want to be in, or ideas for positions that you want to create or build,' said NFL Network reporter Sara Walsh, who moderated the event and served as a mentor. 'It really would have opened your eyes.'
___

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NFL extends, expands exclusive data deal with Genius Sports
NFL extends, expands exclusive data deal with Genius Sports

Reuters

time2 hours ago

  • Reuters

NFL extends, expands exclusive data deal with Genius Sports

June 11 - Genius Sports will continue to provide NFL data to sports betting entities through the end of the 2030 season after a multi-year deal was reached Wednesday between the two entities. Since 2021, Genius Sports has been distributing NFL play-by-play statistics that pour through the league's Next Gen Stats real-time data platform. Next Gen Stats goes beyond typical rushing, passing and receiving totals by creating advanced statistics off raw player data. Genius Sports distributes the data to sports betting operators and media brands. Terms of the new deal were not disclosed but Genius Sports and the NFL had been working under a six-year, $120 million deal that was set to end in 2026. The new deal adds four more years to the partnership. Genius Sports had previously extended its deal with the NCAA to provide data to the same entities from collegiate postseason events like the men's and women's basketball tournaments. That deal is set to run through 2032. --Field Level Media

Report: Commanders sign S Jeremy Reaves to extension
Report: Commanders sign S Jeremy Reaves to extension

Reuters

time2 hours ago

  • Reuters

Report: Commanders sign S Jeremy Reaves to extension

June 11 - The Washington Commanders signed special teams standout Jeremy Reaves to a one-year extension, NFL Network reported Wednesday. The 28-year-old safety is entering his eighth season in the nation's capital, a tenure highlighted by Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team selections in 2022. The extension keeps Reaves under contract with Washington through 2026, per the report. Reaves has recorded 128 tackles, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble in 64 games (11 starts). Of the 321 snaps he played with the Commanders in 2024, all but four came on special teams. --Field Level Media

Broncos announced signing of RB J.K. Dobbins
Broncos announced signing of RB J.K. Dobbins

Reuters

time2 hours ago

  • Reuters

Broncos announced signing of RB J.K. Dobbins

June 11 - The Denver Broncos officially announced the signing of free agent running back J.K. Dobbins on Wednesday. Terms were not disclosed but multiple reports on Tuesday said it was a one-year deal worth $5.25 million. Dobbins, 26, remains in the AFC West coming off his best season in 2024 with the Los Angeles Chargers. The oft-injured back rushed for a career-high 905 yards and tied a career high with nine rushing touchdowns in 13 games (11 starts) in his lone season with the Chargers. In parts of four seasons spanning 37 games (21 starts), Dobbins has rushed for 2,252 yards and 21 TDs along with 59 receptions for 330 yards and one score with the Baltimore Ravens (2020, 2022-23) and Chargers. "It's another good football player that we've seen firsthand," Broncos coach Sean Payton said Tuesday. "I've seen him for a while. The importance of that position group, we really like the group we're working with, (but) it's just another opportunity to possibly bring in another good football player who can help us win." Dobbins joins Denver's running back depth chart that includes 2025 second-round draft pick RJ Harvey, Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin. The Broncos waived long snapper Zach Triner to open a roster spot for Dobbins. Triner, 34, has played in 84 games with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2019-24) and Miami Dolphins (2024). --Field Level Media

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store