Bills owner credits Kathryn Smith for earning her coaching promotion

BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) — Buffalo Bills co-owner Kim Pegula congratulated Kathryn Smith for becoming the NFL's first full-time female assistant coach by saying she earned the promotion.

"Kathryn has been a part of Rex [Ryan's] staff for the past seven years and has proven that she does excellent work," Pegula said in a statement released to The Associated Press today. "While we understand the significance of this announcement, it's important to understand that Kathryn earned this position because she has shown she is qualified, dedicated and puts in the work needed for this role."

Pegula issued the statement a day after the Bills broke the league's gender barrier by promoting Smith to be their special teams quality-control coach.

"The Bills organization is proud of Kathryn and her promotion," Pegula added. "We look forward to the contributions she will make to our organization in her new role."

Smith's appointment comes after Jen Welter served a six-week training camp internship last summer coaching inside linebackers for the Arizona Cardinals.

Smith is well-known within the Bills staff after spending this season as an administrative assistant for the team's assistant coaches. She spent the past seven years working alongside Ryan.