Quick Answer
No woman has ever been drafted by the NFL. However, women have played in professional football leagues and served as NFL coaches and officials.
Have Any Women Been Drafted in the NFL?
No, no woman has ever been drafted in the NFL Draft.
Women in Professional Football
While women haven't been drafted, they have participated in professional football in various ways:
- Katie Sowers – First woman to coach in a Super Bowl (49ers, 2020)
- Sarah Thomas – First female full-time NFL official (2015)
- Jen Welter – First female NFL coach (Cardinals, 2015)
- Callie Brownson – First woman to serve as acting head coach in an NFL game (Browns, 2020)
Women's Tackle Football
Several women's tackle football leagues exist, including:
- Women's Football Alliance (WFA)
- Legends Football League
Could a Woman Be Drafted?
The NFL has no official rule prohibiting women from playing. However, the physical demands and size/strength requirements of positions make it extremely unlikely a woman would be competitive at the NFL level.
Kicking might be the most realistic position for a woman to break through, as it's the least physical.