The Big Ten Conference held a clinic in April and invited women and people of color to learn more about being an official in one of college football's biggest conferences. The focus of the clinic was to highlight efforts of diversity, equity and inclusion. https://www.footballzebras.com/2020/10/in-a-year-of-awakening-big-ten-fields-a-historic-officiating-crew/ Former NFL referee and current Big Ten
Tag: Sarah Thomas
New book shows officiating is ‘A Tough Job Made Harder’
Review by Mark Schultz If you've followed Football Zebras for any length of time, you know that we break down football officiating and (hopefully) show you how difficult calling a football game is. Between interpreting complicated rules, avoiding getting run over by people twice their size, tuning out 50,000 people chanting
5 Super Bowl officiating odds and ends
Sarah Thomas is set to make history again. But did the league rush to get to the milestone?
Officially, beards are in this season
Should NFL officials be allowed to make commercials?
Commentary by Mark Schultz This past season, line judge Sarah Thomas, the first permanent female official in the NFL, was a spokesperson for Activia yogurt. The commercials told the inspiring story of her journey to the NFL and how she broke the glass ceiling for women to officiate in the pros. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLcrFzI0vlw Thomas
Sarah Thomas recovering from broken wrist
Embed from Getty Images  Line judge Sarah Thomas is recovering from a broken wrist sustained in a Week 16 collision (video) at Lambeau Field between the Packers and Vikings, Football Zebras sources have confirmed. The Vikings receiver came back on a passing route. The receiver caught the ball and was immediately contacted by the
Images of Week 1
Courtesy of team photographersClick on any image to open as a slideshow.Courtesy of Getty ImagesView image | gettyimages.comSarah Thomas makes history.View image | gettyimages.comLine Judge Gary Arthur acknowledges the crowd's applause as he leaves the field after being injured on a punt play. We wish Mr. Arthur a speedy recovery.View
NFL preparing to hire new officials
View image | gettyimages.com Commentary by Mark Schultz We are coming up on a critical few weeks in the NFL as vice president for officiating, Dean Blandino, will be hiring new officials, assigning positions, and beginning the orientation process for the new pro zebras. While 2014 saw a near-record number of retirements
Sarah Thomas promotion on hold for now with 2nd year in development program
21 advanced training officials include 7 from '13 taxi squad The NFL has released the names of the college officials who will participate in the 2014 advanced training program. The list includes two women: Sarah Thomas returns for a second year and Maia Chaka joins the program for her first year. What