The Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Super Bowl Champions for Gender Equality by Tara Payor, Ph.D., photos by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Female empowerment is empowerment for all. It is the collective strength and confidence of many individuals that helps humankind persist, progress and endure. Earning one’s place through hard work and merit is not gender-bound. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers excel in ensuring women are represented throughout the National Football League.
AUDIBLE Darcie Glazer Kassewitz, owner/president of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Foundation and Glazer Vision Foundation, grew up with five brothers. Her family’s mindset was rooted in capability and qualifications, not gender-based-expectations. “We feel strongly about gender equality, and that carries into the Bucs—our extended family,” Kassewitz says. “Conversations about women in the NFL need to be a thing of the past. Focus must shift to preparedness and proficiency—markers of long-term success in any profession.”
no one on our staff needs to be concerned with proving herself.”
Kassewitz explains that the Buccaneers’ success is borne of its people. “We only hire the best. A person hired to work in the NFL is the best in his/her field. At this level,
Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians has proven instrumental in cultivating a culture of gender inclusivity. Paving Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ path to Super Bowl LV vic-
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Her efforts are fueled by one of her own daughters’ aspirations to coach in the NFL. When her daughter expressed shock at the fact that the Bucs boast two female coaches, it affirmed Kassewitz’ work for equality. “The Buccaneers organization is committed to providing equal opportunities to diverse people,” she says. “Diversity enables us to have the best solutions. So many girls grow up with a passion for the sport but have limited exposure to opportunities.”
tory were Lori Locust, assistant defensive line coach, and Maral Javadifar, assistant strength and conditioning coach. “He’s steadfast in moving past longstanding stereotypes in the League,” Kassewitz points out. “I’m proud of what I see occurring in Tampa Bay. Our staff and players don’t look at Bucs’ female coaches any differently. Locust and Javadifar are experts in their fields and that’s what we’re all focused on.” A sentiment shared by growing numbers of people within the NFL, Kassewitz looks forward to the seasons when female coaches aren’t anomalies. “Forty-seven percent of our fanbase is female. We have to ensure women are represented across the League.”
Darcie Glazer Kassewitz chats with athletes at the 2020 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Girls High School Flag Football Preseason Classic at AdventHealth Training Center. TampaBayParenting.com MARCH 2021
