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PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Reserved and unaccustomed to the spotlight, Kathryn Smith still has difficulty putting into perspective what its like to be the NFLs first full-time female assistant coach.Its crazy, Smith says when reminded of the nationwide attention shes drawn -- including a retweet by Chelsea Clinton -- in the eight months since Rex Ryan promoted her to be Buffalo Bills special teams quality control coach.Though it was Smiths intention to pursue a career in athletics when choosing to major in sports management at St. Johns in 2003, she never knew where that path might eventually lead. Football was an option. So was basketball.And the 31-year-old three-sport high school athlete from suburban Syracuse, New York, never anticipated she would one day be recognized for breaking the gender barrier of North Americas most popular sport.If that makes Smith somewhat of a reluctant trail blazer, then so be it.Thats not been my focus, Smith says of generating headlines. But, at the same time, if that shows somebody if you work hard that you can do whatever you set your mind to, and if thats the message thats getting across to girls, boys, whoever it is, then I think thats a good thing.What would be even better is if Smith gained some female company on NFL sidelines.I dont think its as far down the road as maybe other people do, she says. I might be the first. But I dont think Ill be the only one for very long.Women have gradually made inroads in professional football, first at the executive and ownership levels, and now on the field.The first real glimpses began last summer when Jen Welter served a six-week training camp internship coaching Arizona Cardinals inside linebackers. And then theres Sarah Thomas, who last year became the NFLs first full-time female on-field official.Tony Dungy believes the trend will grow.The future is unlimited, the former coach said last week before his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. We will see female coaches because they can coach the game. We see females officiating in the NBA and the NFL. Its just a matter of time that well see more.The key, Dungy says, is for head coaches to begin thinking outside the box, as Ryan and Arizonas Bruce Arians have done.For so long, we had a characterization of what we thought coaches were, and now a number of coaches are going against the grain, he said. Coaches should not be fit in boxes.Its not as if women dont follow football. The NFL says 52.6 million female viewers watched this years Super Bowl, the second most behind last years game.Smiths ascension into coaching is owed in large part to Ryan. Upon taking over as New York Jets coach in 2009, Ryan first noticed Smiths potential when she worked as the teams player personnel assistant. Ryan took Smith under his wing by promoting her to be his administrative assistant. Ryan then brought her to Buffalo when he was hired by the Bills in January 2015. He elevated her to the position of administrative assistant to his assistant coaches, with a particular emphasis on special teams.Aside from working with coordinator Danny Crossman, Smith also gained an opportunity to interact with players. She did such a good job that Crossman wasnt surprised in January when Ryan informed him of his plan to promote Smith.Coaching is teaching, and teaching is communicating, Crossman says. So a hard worker whos a good communicator and works hard, yeah, why not?Now, its on Smith to find her voice and niche, Crossman said.I think shes still finding it, he says, noting Smiths true development will start once the Bills begin playing games.That comes Saturday, when Smith will be on the sideline for Buffalos preseason opener against Indianapolis.Anna Isaacson, the NFLs senior vice president of social responsibility, says Smiths presence on the field is an invaluable example to women. She recalled what former tennis star Billie Jean King said during a womens summit the NFL held during this years Super Bowl festivities.She said, `If you see it, you can be it, Isaacson says. If youre a little girl, and you see someone in a position that looks like you, then you believe you can be that person. And that oftentimes is a huge motivator.Bills fan Julie Schmidt says Smiths promotion can inspire her 12-year-old daughter Aubrey, who sat beside her in the stands during a recent training camp practice.I think its fantastic that the Bills have shown they can think beyond the box that theyre living in, Schmidt says. I think it shows our youth that the possibilities are endless.Kathryn Smith is in no position to look too far ahead. Like any coach, her job security is measured by what happens on game day.Im the QC, so Im at the bottom of the totem pole, and Im just trying to get my work done, and do it as best as I possibly can, Smith says. My focus right now is this year, this season, Indy on Saturday, Week 1. I cant really look too far beyond that right now.---AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAuthentic Chiefs Jerseys China . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday. Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys China . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. http://www.cheapchiefsjerseysauthentic.com/ . Bjorn, who had a 36-hole total of 8-under 134, made a testing six-foot putt to save par on the 16th and a birdie on the 17th before bogeying the final hole after a misjudged approach shot. American Kevin Streelman was in second place after shooting a 69. 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Bryant, who signed a five-year, $34 million contract as a free agent with Cleveland in March, reported symptoms on Monday morning, a team spokesman said.Former major league pitcher Dwight Gooden insisted Tuesday that he is fine and healthy despite former teammate?Darryl Strawberrys comments to the New York Daily News earlier this week that Gooden is a complete junkie-addict.?[I] havent done anything wrong, havent broken the law or anything like that, Gooden said during a Facebook Live chat prior to a Steiner Sports autograph function in New York.Gooden was a no-show on Thursday for a joint public appearance with Strawberry, who said he believes?Gooden has relapsed into the drug use that derailed his career.Gooden wasnt specifically asked about Strawberrys comments on Tuesday, but did speak about the toll his mothers failing health and eventual death in July has had on him, saying he needed treatment and medication to deal with depression in the past couple of months.I wasnt healthy; there were ups and downs and [I had] massive depression because I knew my mom was at the end, Gooden said. Once I got through that and got on the medicine, started talking with people who had some of the same experiences, things got better. Things are going a lot better right now.The?New York Yankees, having seen Strawberrys comments to the Daily News, have reached out and offered to assist with any treatment the 51-year-old Gooden might need.?A lot of individuals have reached out to me, too, but for the Yankees to show that type of support to Doc, Im very grateful to them for that, Strawberry told the Daily News.Ron Dock, Goodens former drug counselor, also told the Daily News that the Yankees reached out in an effort to help Gooden, who played for the Yankees and New York Mets during his 16-season career.They said theyre willing to pay for Dwights treeatment, which is a huge gesture on their behalf, Dock told the Daily News.ddddddddddddTheyve always tried to do right by Dwight, going back to George Steinbrenner when he gave him a chance to play again.The Yankees confirmed Tuesday that theyve reached out through others to offer any necessary services or assistance.Gooden?told the Daily News earlier Tuesday that he wasnt using drugs again and theres a lot more to the story than you think.Strawberry, who along with Gooden was the subject of ESPNs 30 for 30 documentary Doc & Darryl, appeared on ESPNs Outside the Lines on Tuesday and remained steadfast in his belief that Gooden is again using drugs and said he was aware of it dating back to the documentary.We did a 30 for 30 and already knew there he was using, Strawberry told OTL. We covered it up and that and we didnt really open ... My thing is that I just want him to get healthy. He doesnt have to go to my treatment centers. Im not looking for publicity. Just get help. Let someone help you.I let people help me, and I think thats what a lot of times other people that are not addicts dont understand addictions. ... Youve never been in the shoes of an addict and know what an addict is struggling with and how deep the darkness is of this life. And when you look at the paper today and the Daily News of him on the cover, look at it for yourself and see where hes at. Hes 51 years old, man. This guy was a phenomenal pitcher. Yeah, thats over with. But hes a drug addict right now, and he needs help.ESPN Staff Writer Andrew Marchand contributed to this report. ' ' '