It’s official- Philadelphia has won their second Super Bowl! The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in a commanding victory. Undeniably, their monumental win was a result of resilient, skilled players, as well as dynamic, tactical coaches and staff. Autumn Lockwood, an associate performance coach for the team, became the first Black woman to coach in and win the Super Bowl.
How’s that for Black History Month!
Who is Autumn Lockwood?
Lockwood, a native of Media, PA, received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with a minor in psychology from Arizona per her Eagles bio. Additionally, she obtained her master’s degree in sports management from East Tennessee State.
When did she join in the Eagles?
Autumn Lockwood was named an associate performance coach by the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2023 offseason. She originally joined the organization as a strength and conditioning associate in 2022.
Prior to joining the Philadelphia Eagles, Lockwood served as the director of sports performance at the University of Houston (2021-22) and was the assistant director of basketball sports performance at East Tennessee State (2020-21).
When did Lockwood start her career in the NFL?
From 2018-20, Lockwood worked as a strength and conditioning graduate assistant with the basketball program at East Tennessee State. She also interned with UNLV’s football program (2017-18) and assisted strength and conditioning efforts for the University of Arizona’s Olympic sports (2017).
Then in 2019, Lockwood gained her first NFL experience as an intern for the Atlanta Falcons’ strength staff during organized team activities.
Autumn Lockwood makes history
Becoming the first Black woman coach to win a Super Bowl is nothing short of an amazing and overdue feat. In a sport that is mostly male-dominated, this is a groundbreaking shift in representation.
It’s also an inspiring accomplishment for Black woman and deserves to be recognized and celebrated.
When speaking with NSCA Coaching Podcast in 2024, Lockwood discussed the mentality it takes to be successful in this field:
I would say getting in the door, it’s all about that opportunity and what you do with that, and how you show up every day. The opportunity is always going to present itself once you have built those right relationships, networked, and done what you can, controlled what you can control, to get there. And then once you’re there, it’s really, OK, I’m going to observe everything. I’m going to be a sponge. I’m going to be so hands-on. I’m going to be an extra set of hands. I’m going to do everything that I can to help this team, this staff, all these departments that go into building a championship culture. I’m going to do what I can to help that.
Job well done Autumn, job well done. GO BIRDS 🦅💚
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