As theNFLannounced, Thomas, as down judge, will be the first female to officiate a Super Bowl.
The announcement immediately inspired fireworks from thesports reporterTwitterverse.
Indeed, there’s no doubt about it; Sarah Thomas is formidable.
But when NFL scout Joe Haynes saw her in action, he had other ideas (viaElle).
Haynes talked to the supervisor of Conference USA’s officials, Gerry Austin.
Austin called Thomas up.
By 2015, Thomas became the first female official in NFL history.
The NFL scrambled to figure out how to suit her up.
WhenElletalked to Thomas in 2017, she told them that she was gunning to officiate aSuper Bowlsomeday.
The fact that she’s achieved her goal is a testament to her dedication.
Thomas studies and re-studies games in her spare time, though she doesn’t have a lot of it.
She shrugs off the obstacles that have stood in her way.
“I was raised with brothers.
I played in a men’s basketball league.
If they have a feeling towards me, that’s their issue.
It’s not mine,” Thomas toldElle.
