All other NFL-related trademarks are trademarks of the National Football League. Meet Sarah Thomas, the only woman official in the NFL in 2020, the league's first full-time female official, the down judge on 19-year veteran referee John Hussey's crew. On April 8, 2015, the NFL announced that Thomas would become the first permanent female official in NFL history. "[13], On November 12, 2011, Thomas became the first woman to officiate in a Big Ten stadium, working as a line judge when Northwestern hosted Rice. Buccaneers game on Feb. 7. The first was Sarah Thomas, who refereed the Super Bowl this year. Sarah Thomas (American football official), "SPORTS VICTORIESSarah Thomas: Believer, Wife, Mom, and NCAA Football Official", "NFL: Pascagoula native Sarah Bailey Thomas not among 12 new officials hired for 2014", "NFL history was made Saturday night, and Pascagoula's Sarah Thomas was part of it", "Earning Her Stripes in College Football", "Pascagoula Woman Seeks Title of First Permanent Female NFL Official", "Meet Sarah Thomas, NFL's first female official", "Is Sarah Thomas Married? Sarah Thomas (American football official) - Wikipedia Pro Football Network, LLC. Officiating in Sunday's New York Jets at Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chaka is the third on-field female official in the NFL, joining Sarah Thomas, the first permanent female . NFL female referees: How many are there and what do they make per game Maia Chaka is making history today. Lets see how Thomas pursuit influenced the female ref roster for this years NFL season. It is highly recommended that you use the latest versions of a supported browser in order to receive an optimal viewing experience. [21] She was an alternate for the 2018 Atlanta Falcons and Los Angeles Rams Wild Card game. She may no longer be the only female NFL referee, as shes been joined by Maia Chaka on the professional stage but shell always be the first. [15] If there's a call to be made, have the courage to make the call, and she fit within that framework. The female NFL officials for 2022 will feature two returners, Chaka and Thomas, as well as one newcomer: Robin DeLorenzo. Who was the first Black woman to referee in the NFL? Sarah Thomas, first female NFL official | AFRO American Newspapers Selected in 2014 as a part of the league's officiating development program, Chaka has earned the right to be exactly where she is today. Jun 22, 2023. Chaka is the second woman hired as a full-time NFL official. She recently made her NFL debut in the Giants-Patriots pre-season game. MORE: How much money do NFL referees make? [5][6] She attended Pascagoula High School, where she lettered five times in softball, the first student to ever do so. They have three children together. In January 2021, she became the first woman to earn an on-field assignment for an NFL playoff game. Maia Chaka is making history today. Se non vuoi che noi e i nostri partner utilizziamo i cookie e i dati personali per questi scopi aggiuntivi, clicca su "Rifiuta tutto". Thomas started as a line judge in 2015 and made her way up to being a down judge in 2017, which now reflects a gender-neutral position thanks to her. Sarah Thomas, who is currently in her sixth season as an NFL referee, will become the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. Through WON, the NFL partners with organizations at all levels of football youth and high school leagues, the Independent Womens Football League, the Womens Football Foundation, the Fins Up! At WON clinics, women learn from former players, elite female officials and NFL representatives in the classroom and on the field to better understand officiating and develop their skills. Shortly after she was officially hired by the NFL in 2015, Sarah Thomas claimed in an interview with NFL Media she never set out to be a trailblazer. "I've always (stressed)understanding the spirit of rules and don't be technical. 1:46. Breaking down the new NFL officiating hires - Football Zebras MORE: Here's how much money NFL officials make. 2023 National Football League. ", According to Today, Chaka received news she would become an official on March 1 from NFL vice president of officiating evaluation and development Wayne Mackie, one of her mentors and a former 10-year NFL official. [10], Thomas began her officiating career in 1996, when she attended a meeting of the Gulf Coast Football Officials Association. "She understood that the rules of the game of football should be applied within the spirit of the game and not within the technical writing of the rules," Austin said. [12] Before that game, Austin said, "She came highly recommended by two NFL scouts. "Maia's years of hard work, dedication and perseverance -- including as part of the NFL Officiating Development Program -- have earned her a position as an NFL official,"said Vincentin March. ", We welcome Maia Chaka to the 2021 roster of game officials! Her inspiring story not only paves the way for more women to make it in the officiating space but also in the rest of the NFL as well. mostrarti annunci e contenuti personalizzati in base ai profili di interesse; misurare l'efficacia di annunci e contenuti personalizzati; sviluppare e migliorare i nostri prodotti e servizi. After being looked at for a brief concussion protocol, Thomas returned and finished the game with the broken wrist. Thomas worked New Orleans Saints scrimmages,[16] and was part of the NFL officiating development program, spending three days at the Indianapolis Colts minicamp. https://t.co/1NHls98Lwi pic.twitter.com/ycOxc6Cq1t. The female NFL officials for 2022 will feature two returners, Chaka and Thomas, as well as one newcomer: Robin DeLorenzo. NFL referees and all other officials are not full-time league employees, as they technically work part-time from May through the end of each season with a dark period in between. Female referees make a maximum single-game pay of $5,000 if they work the Super Bowl. She has spent 16 combined seasons officiating for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, high school games, and for the Arizona Cardinals Red and White game. Shes ready, he told ESPN in 2015. She was hired by Conference USA in 2007 and officiated college football games until she reached the pros in 2015. Thomas was the first woman to officiate a major college football game, the first to officiate a bowl game, and the first to officiate in a Big Ten stadium. 53. For the first time in the NFL's history, three women were on the gridiron Sunday in an official capacity during a regular-season game. Meet Sarah Thomas, the first woman to be assigned full time to an NFL officiating crew. [14], When asked about the challenges associated with being a football referee, Thomas claimed there have "not been any challenges" being a female in football and stated, "Everybody has been very professional, and they look at me just like another official", aiding in Thomas's defense to be viewed as equal to her colleagues.[7]. Sports have been an integral part Sarah Thomas life for decades. : #NYJvsCAR -- 1pm ET on CBS Women are officiating at all levels of football with WONs support. The down judge position was previously called a head linesman, but the title was subsequently modified to reflect a more gender-neutral position. "And hopefully that just gives somebody else, you know, some inspiration and empowers them to step outside the box and do something different., MORE: Meet Sarah Thomas, the NFL's first female referee, Maia Chaka is making history today. Despite it all, she continued to excel in the league's program as Troy Vincent, Senior NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations, pointed out this past spring. Updated All eyes will be on Tom Brady and Patrick Mahomes on Sunday, but it will be impossible to write Super Bowl 2021's history without No. , a female referee makes a maximum pay of $1,500 for each NFL game they officiate. NFL.com keeps you up to date with all of the latest league news from around the NFL. Be sure to check out the live blog for highlights, analysis and Chaka's history-making NFL debut! Dates, News, and Locations for All 32 Teams, DeAndre Hopkins Signing: 2 Teams Still Lurking on Veteran WR, History of New York Jets First-Round NFL Draft Picks All Time. [7], Before becoming a referee, she worked as a pharmaceutical representative. Coaches have confidence in Sarah's ability to officiate in our conference, and I think that's what's helped her and carried her over to where she's in the NFL.". 6-keys: media/spln/nfl/reg/free/stories, at If you already have the CBS Sports app, make sure to favorite the your favorite team so you don't miss a thing! Who is Maia Chaka? In 2015, Thomas became the first female to be a full-time NFL official, according to The Focus. [7] This ranks her fifth in the schools history. Thomas being distinguished as the first full-time female NFL official separates her from Shannon Eastin, who became the first female to officiate an NFL game when she was hired as a replacement official (line judge) during the NFL Referees Association lockout of 2012. She's been a health and physical education teacher at Renaissance Academy in Virginia Beach, Virginia, since 2006, per USA Today, forced to adapt based on the rabid impact of the raging COVID-19 pandemic; and was able to successfully do so while also balancing the weight of helping family displaced by a weather emergency. Last season, all regular season games were played in the city of Birmingham, Ala., but this season games will also be played in Canton, Detroit, and Memphis. 2023 Roster of NFL Officials | NFL Football Operations Maia Chaka has been added to the NFL's roster of officials for the 2021 season, making her the second woman and first Black woman among the NFL's on-field officials. Free-agent RB Leonard Fournette posted an Instagram video of his charred SUV on the side of the road, informing his followers he was OK after the incident. She became the leagues third female on-field official following Shannon Eastin and Sarah Thomas. Twitter Email The Officials Responsibilities & Positions History of the Official Officiating Development Behind the Stripes 2022 Officials Roster The following is the 2022 NFL roster of. How many female referees are in the NFL in 2022? - HITC In 2014, she was part of the NFL's Officiating Development Program, which works to identify college officials who could leap the pros. Woman fatally shot an Uber driver in Texas. . News by Mark Schultz - May 3, 2022 3 Football Zebras was first to report the news on May 3 that the NFL hired 10 new officials. All rights reserved, NFL running back Leonard Fournette escapes car fire without injury, NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson's in-laws and nephew found dead in apparent murder-suicide, NY air quality to worsen again this week due to Canadian wildfire smoke, A man was fatally shot in a New Mexico movie theater over a seat dispute, Manhattan drivers to pay extra tolls in effort to reduce congestion in first-in-nation plan, 21-year-old flies 600 miles a week to avoid paying $3,500-a-month New York renthere's how much she saves. The female NFL officials for 2022. During the 2021-22 season, there were only two female referees - Maia Chaka and Sarah Thomas. At the school, Chaka has reportedly sponsored a mentorship club for girls and won a Teacher of the Year award multiple years ago. WON clinics are open to all women, no matter their background or skill level. When Sarah Thomas. Football is an essential piece of Americas fabric, uniting fans, players and communities with a simple yet powerful bond. Best Quarterbacks in the NFL 2023: How Close are Justin Herbert, Jalen Hurts, and Trevor Lawrence to the Elite Tier? Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Appearing on "Good Morning Football" on Monday, Jets TE Tyler Conklin says the team has room for four-time Pro Bowl RB Dalvin Cook, who was recently released by the Vikings. Commitment to diversity Embed from Getty Images The NFL continues to hire minority and female officials. Shes listed as a down judge, wearing jersey No. Who are the female NFL football officials for 2022? This occurred in September 2021. Maia Chaka Is The 1st Black Woman To Officiate An NFL Game By Olivia Kremer Last updated Mar 12, 2021 SONY DSC On Monday, March 10th, Maia Chaka made history. [5] In 2007, Thomas became the first woman to officiate a major college football game, working a game between Memphis and Jacksonville State. She will be the first black woman to officiate an NFL game. A female coach was on each sideline and a female . Influential women in football - NFL.com 2023 Primera Divisin C de Argentina, Clausura . Shannon Eastin, the first woman game official in the NFL, describes in her new book, Lady Ref: Making Calls in a Man's World, one of the ugliest scenes of workplace sexual harassment I've . We're just so very proud of her. ", MORE: The referee and officials assigned to Super Bowl 55. Officiating an NFL game takes years of training and experience. Chaka made her own footprint in the history books. How many NFL referees are female? For the past two decades, EA Sports and Nike have collaborated on footwear and apparel surrounding the video game publisher's most notable . DeLorenzo became a down judge in 2022 following her involvement with officiating college footballs Big Ten Conference. As of late, the NFL has taken up the mantle in working passionately to stimulate equality in its ranks. When Javadifar and Locust go to shake the referees hands, they'll shake the hand of down judge Sarah Thomas, the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. Sarah Thomas became the first woman to be assigned full-time to an NFL officiating crew before the 2015 season. : #NYJvsCAR 1pm ET on CBS : NFL app pic.twitter.com/EaYYsuEA2J NFL (@NFL). Maia makes history as the first Black woman to officiate at the @NFL level. Quando utilizzi i nostri siti e le nostre app, noi utilizziamo i. autenticare gli utenti, applicare misure di sicurezza e prevenire spam e abusi; misurare l'utilizzo dei nostri siti e delle nostre app. [citation needed] NFL officiating history: Maia Chaka becomes first Black woman to Launched in 2013 as part of the NFLs Football Officiating Academy (FOA), WON hosts clinics at which women learn the basics of football, the fundamentals of officiating and leadership skills that are useful on and off the field. How did Thomas become a pioneer of progress in football, and what is her role in the NFL today? And she has great communication skills. Officiating Development | NFL Football Operations Her debut in elite level officiating was in the 2015 . "She understood that the rules of the game of football should be applied within the spirit of the game and not within the technical writing of the rules," former NFL official Gerry Austin said in 2015. DeLorenzo became a down judge in 2022 following her involvement with. To date, 16 intermediate-level WON officials have worked college all-star games, PREP 100 events, 7-on-7 tournaments and. Garden State native Robin DeLorenzo became just the third female official to join the NFL ranks this year. Super Bowl 58 Odds: Predictions, Sleepers, Longshots, and More. That would be Sarah Thomas. There are three female referees in the NFL for the 2022-23 season. The 49ers aren't yet certain they'll have Brock Purdy in time for the start of the 2023 season. This occurred in September 2021. Taking advantage of her opportunities proved worthwhile for now full-time NFL referee Sarah Thomas. The following are the down judge's roles on each play type: Copyright 2023 Sporting News Holdings Limited. [4] She wears uniform number 53. In 2020, the spotlight was on a Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff when Lori Locust and Maral Javadifar carved a path for women looking to make a name for themselves on NFL coaching staffs, and also Sarah Thomas, who became the first woman to ever officiate a Super Bowl. When Thomas began her NFL career, she served as a line judge. Sarah Thomas' daughter was recently asked on a school assignment what she wanted to do in the future. These 15 women are proof. According to a TSM Sportz report, a female referee makes a maximum pay of $1,500 for each NFL game they officiate. She will be the first black woman to officiate an NFL game. Sarah Thomas ( ne Bailey; born September 21, 1973) [2] [3] is an American football official, currently for the National Football League (NFL). Officiate every game and every play of every game as if it is an NFL interview because you never know who may be watching. She had previously worked offseason practices and scrimmages for the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts in 2013. How many female referees are there in the NFL in the 2022 season? Per maggiori informazioni sulle modalit di utilizzo dei dati sensibili, consulta la nostra Informativa sulla privacy e la nostra Informativa sui cookie. Thomas became the first full-time female NFL official in 2015. I do look forward to the day when its no longer newsworthy to be a woman working in the pros, or making the Super Bowlfor that matter.". Some attendees come with officiating experience; others are new to the discipline. NFL programs develop officials at every level. [5] She attended the University of Mobile on a basketball scholarship and was an academic all-American. She won't be the only young girl noticing Thomas and dreaming big. Who is Sarah Thomas? The First Female Referee at the Super Bowl - The How much do NFL referees make? Salaries for NFL officials. Since being confirmed by former NFL VP of Officiating Dean Blandino, Thomas has already begun her ascent in the officiating realm. Shewas selected for the NFLs Officiating Development Program which identifies talented officials working in college and helps give them exposure and experiences like league referees in 2014. The change in the position name from head linesman coincided with the move in order to use a gender-neutral term. Female referees make a maximum single-game pay of $5,000 if they work the Super Bowl. Derek Carr is still left with a bitter taste in terms of how things ended with the Silver and Black after nine seasons with the franchise. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. The 47-year old Thomas, who's been on the job in the NFL since 2015, said her daughter will be watching the big game from home. Who is the female referee in Super Bowl 2021? Tennessee Titans v Baltimore Ravens. Information Who Is Sarah Thomas? Sarah Thomas was the first ever female referee in the NFL and the 2022 season is her eighth in the league. NFL Female Referees: How Many Are There and What Do They Make Per Game