Jennifer King
In January, King became the first Black full-time female NFL coach when the Washington Football Team named her an assistant running backs coach. She spent time as an intern coach on the Carolina Panthers staff in 2018 and 2019. Washington is 14th among the NFL’s 32 teams in rushing yards per game.
Maia Chaka
This season, Chaka became the first Black female NFL referee. Chaka has officiated college football games and joined the NFL’s Officiating Development Program in 2014.
Travis Hunter
The Eagles Landing cornerback became the highest-ranked player to sign to play at an HBCU when he signed with Jackson State on Early Signing Day in December. Hunter is the number one player in the country, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. The composite rankings date back online to 2000.
Kristen Hayden
The Indiana University graduate student became the first Black woman to win an American national senior diving title in December. She also became the first Black American diver to qualify for the World Championships, according to USA Diving and Indiana University.
