Betting on Herself Paid Off
Odessa Jenkins, also known as OJ, has turned a bold idea into the largest professional women’s football league in the United States. Seven years ago, few believed her vision would work. Brands told her the world wasn’t ready for women’s tackle football. They suggested she aim smaller or try a different sport.
Jenkins refused to give up. She pitched the Women’s National Football Conference (WNFC) with confidence, predicting millions of viewers, national press, and strong sponsors. Today, the WNFC is thriving, and some of the very skeptics she faced are now paying partners. Her determination shows how betting on herself changed the game.
From South Central Los Angeles to the Top of the League
Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Jenkins faced hardships, including losing her brother to gang violence. Sports became a guiding force in her life. She earned a Division 1 scholarship to Cal Poly and later excelled in healthcare technology, landing on the executive team at YourCause, a company sold to Blackbaud for $157 million.
Even as her career flourished, football kept pulling her back. By 2008, she was the world’s top-ranked running back and earned one of the first on-field NFL coaching positions given to a woman through the Bill Walsh Diversity Internship. All of this experience built the foundation for the WNFC, which she officially launched in 2018.
Redefining Women’s Sports and Inclusion
Jenkins built the WNFC with diversity at its core. Around 65 percent of players identify as Black or Hispanic. She ensures women of color are represented at every level of the league. Through the nonprofit arm Got Her Back, she brings football programs and mentorship to schools in Oakland, Watts, and beyond.
“This league is about showing Black and brown girls a future in this sport long before they ever go pro,” Jenkins says. Her work emphasizes representation and opportunity, creating a pathway for the next generation of athletes.
Growing a Movement and Changing Perceptions
The league’s growth has been rapid. Instagram followers grew from 10 million to over 100 million, and major brands like Adidas, Dove, and ESPN returned for multi-year partnerships. Jenkins understands that women’s sports are often undervalued because brands focus on outdated models built around men’s sports.
She emphasizes a long-term vision: paying players a living wage, helping them achieve financial success, and inspiring girls to see themselves as future professional quarterbacks, running backs, and defensive stars. “Seeing these women and girls wake up every day thinking they can play professionally is the zoom out,” she says.
A Lasting Legacy
Odessa Jenkins has proven that vision, resilience, and inclusivity can create more than just a league—they can change an entire industry. The WNFC is now the largest professional women’s football league in America, opening doors for Black women athletes everywhere. Jenkins’ journey shows that when determination meets purpose, the impact can be historic.
