You’ve worn a lot of different hats in football. When did you first get involved in football, and how did that turn into a career?

I have had a diverse journey in football, starting from my early involvement in the sport to pursuing it as a full-fledged career. Originally from Connecticut, I relocated to the United Kingdom about 11 years ago with the intention of working with horses. Due to my dual citizenship, I saw this opportunity as a great way to explore work opportunities outside the United States. However, I must confess that during my upbringing, football did not play a significant role in my life as my focus was primarily on working with horses, which demanded my time round the clock.

Upon my arrival in the UK at the age of 22, I found myself seeking social connections, friends, and a taste of American culture. Consequently, when I discovered an advertisement on social media about an American football team based in Manchester, where I was residing, I saw it as my chance to step out of my comfort zone and take a risk. Despite never having played contact football before, I decided to give it a shot and attended the tryouts. Surprisingly, I made the team, and my dual citizenship rendered me eligible to represent Great Britain in both tackle and flag football. For the past 10 years, I have proudly played for the national team, immersing myself in the sport that I had initially not given much thought to.

As my playing journey began, I realized that football could not be a perpetual pursuit, even though I continue playing at the age of 33. Hence, I began exploring coaching as a way to contribute back to the sport that had given me so much. I initially got involved in coaching youth football and eventually progressed to coaching at the adult or senior level. Along this path, I found myself at the NFL Women’s Careers in Football Forum, an event where I had the opportunity to meet influential individuals such as Kim Pegula, the owner of the Buffalo Bills, and Scott Pioli, a former NFL executive. The authenticity and insights these individuals shared about working in the NFL resonated with me deeply. During an interview conducted at the forum, I was asked where I envisioned myself a year from then, to which I confidently responded, “I want to be an NFL coach.” Almost a year later, after applying for the Bill Walsh Diversity Fellowship, I found myself with the Buffalo Bills. It was a whirlwind experience that left me astounded and exhilarated.

What a fun journey. How did that opportunity segue into a broadcasting career?

After completing an internship with the Buffalo Bills during their training camp in 2017, I continued my coaching endeavors as a volunteer coach at Bryant University in Rhode Island for a single season. The Bills wanted me to return for the subsequent training camp with the possibility of transitioning into a year-long role that comprised of Offseason Training Activities (OTAs). However, in between my time at Bryant University and the upcoming training camp with the Bills, I began working for NFL UK at the NFL Academy. I strongly believed that this role would provide me with the greatest opportunity to make a significant impact on the lives of young individuals. Fortunately, Bills head coach Sean McDermott understood and supported my decision.

Coaching had become an immense source of joy for me. The elite mindset prevalent in the NFL and within the Buffalo Bills organization, where the pursuit of excellence was paramount, was truly invigorating. The organization’s commitment to becoming the best version of itself resonated not only within the building but also throughout the broader community. Over the past few seasons, the transformation and dedication of the organization have become increasingly evident. However, upon returning to the UK, I felt a persistent desire to do more. Although the NFL provided opportunities beyond coaching, the demands of the season precluded any significant endeavors outside the sport. Hence, I yearned to impact a larger audience. Despite continuing to coach the national team, which was not the NFL, I recognized the potential for impacting lives through coaching perspective.

All along, I held a desire to bridge the gap between the United States and the United Kingdom, yet I was uncertain about what form that connection would take. It was through broadcasting that I discovered the means to fulfill this ambition. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, I began doing small broadcasts on Sky Sports, where I catered to the needs of casual football fans. Then, during one Sunday morning when the main host fell ill, I was called upon, alongside another woman named Hannah Wilkes, to fill in as hosts for the first time on the show. It was the first instance of having women on the show, and to top it off, two women were hosting it. Although we admittedly had no clue what we were getting ourselves into, we embraced the challenge and figured it out. What I treasure most about broadcasting is the ability to share my knowledge and experiences as a former player and coach with an international audience that may not have access to a similar level of expertise.

What is your favorite part of the game to coach?

During my time with the Buffalo Bills, I had the privilege of coaching defensive backs and tight ends. While absorbing the intricacies of the overall game was an incredibly rewarding experience, my heart lies specifically in coaching linebackers, particularly the outside linebacker or nickel position. This role requires a combination of reading and reacting, playing with fervor, and tackling with an aggressive mindset. I genuinely relish this aspect of coaching as it allows me to delve into the schematics and thoughtful strategies of the defense. Moreover, on the defensive side, players are given the freedom to express themselves within the confines of the defensive scheme, enabling them to leave everything on the field.