National Football League

Sarah Thomas becomes NFL's first female official

Published Apr. 3, 2015 2:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

By Vincent Frank

This is pretty cool.

According to the Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun, the NFL has hired Sarah Thomas to become the league’s first female official.

Thomas worked a preseason game for the NFL last season and has college football experience. She also became the first female to officiate a bowl game back in 2009.

As much as the NFL is seen to have a machismo culture, it’s refreshing to see the league include a woman playing an important role in the game. And based on the recent performances of current officials, it’s nice to see some new blood.

"I set out to do this and get involved in officiating not having any idea that there were not any females officiating football,”Thomas told NFL Network, via Fox Sports. “Being a former basketball player, you saw female officiating all the time. So, no, I don’t feel like a pioneer.”

Even if she doesn’t feel like a pioneer, it’s a great first step towards inclusion around the NFL.

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