National Football League

Jaguars lineman takes shot at NFL hiring woman official

Published Apr. 4, 2015 2:13 p.m. ET

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Sarah Thomas hasn't officiated a down in an NFL regular-season game yet, but her appointment is already under criticism from a player.

Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks compared the NFL reportedly hiring Thomas to the drafting of Michael Sam a year ago when the latter became the first openly gay player drafted. It sounds as if he's suggesting this a publicity stunt.

"For women, it's great,'' Marks told TMZ.com. "Ain't nothing wrong with it, especially as long as she knows what she's doing.

"It's just like the Michael Sam situation — if he wasn't gay, he would have gone undrafted,'' Marks said. "Instead, the league drafts him because I think they are trying to monopolize every aspect of the world . . . the same thing with a female ref. For the league, it's great publicity. The NFL is all about monopolizing every opportunity.''

That said, he told the site he hopes Thomas thrives.

"I hope it works for her,'' said Marks, who is recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in the final game of last season.    

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