NFL Network celebrates Women’s History Month with special programming

NFL Network celebrates Women’s History Month with programing throughout March, including Linda Jefferson: Diary of the Forgotten GOAT and NFL 360: Women In Football, telling the stories of the enduring impact of women throughout football.

Linda Jefferson: Diary of the Forgotten GOAT premieres Thursday, March 16 during Good Morning Football at 7:00 AM ET on NFL Network, which explores the untold career of one of the greatest running backs of all time, Linda Jefferson. In the 1970s, Jefferson starred for the Toledo Troopers of the National Women’s Football League (NWFL), where she rushed for over 1,000 yards in five straight seasons and finished her career with more touchdowns than Jim Brown. This feature tells the story of a sports pioneer through the words of Jefferson’s diary she kept during her playing days.

«Linda Jefferson’s story is one of triumph and perseverance in a time where women playing a game like football was unheard of,» said Shayna Haynes, Executive Producer. «She’s living proof that female athletes can achieve anything when given the opportunity and space to succeed.»

NFL 360’s Women In Football episode premieres Friday, March 17 at 8:00 PM ET on NFL Network. The latest episode of the Emmy Award-winning series is produced by an all-female storytelling team. This annual special has been nominated for a Sports Emmy in each of the past four years and details the women that make a profound impact in the game of football, around the world.

This year’s hour-long episode has two features, each of which gives a unique perspective on the impact of women in the NFL: «I AM WOMAN» and «Leaving a Legacy.»

«I AM WOMAN,» directed by India Wright, chronicles her personal experience as a female storyteller in the sport of football. Wright has had the privilege to share the stories of the amazing women this episode has featured over the years, including Antionette Toni Harris, Sarah Thomas, Sam Gordon and Lo Locust.

«Leaving a Legacy» directed by Kate Espejo, highlights some amazing young women playing in the Matt Leinart Flag Football League in three Southern California high schools – Beckman, Sierra and University – and their effort to make Girls Flag Football a sanctioned CIF high school sport. The girls flag football proposal makes it all the way to the state level, with the verdict being delivered by Women’s Flag Ambassador and trailblazer Diana Flores during a visit to the 2023 Pro Bowl.

Following these features, NFL 360 host Melissa Stark sits down to speak further with Flores about her inspiring journey, star performance in the NFL’s Super Bowl LVII commercial, rise as the face of Women’s Flag Football as well as the global movement of the sport. Stark is also joined by NFL 360 Producer and Director Wright and Sr. Production Manager, Staci Strickland to discuss the impact women are making in front of and behind the camera.

In addition to this programming, NFL Media and NFL 360 will host a special screening of NFL 360: Women in Football at USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism on Wednesday, March 29. The screening of select NFL 360 films will be followed by a panel and discussion moderated by NFL Network’s MJ Acosta-Ruiz and featuring USC Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart, flag football superstar Flores and the NFL 360 creative team.