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
Tag: Sarah 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
NFL winds down advanced training program as college season opens
As Labor Day weekend approaches, the developmental officials that comprised the NFL's "taxi squad" are headed back to their college conferences for the start of the college football season. It is officially known as the advanced training program, the NFL initiative that brought 21 officials from the major college conferences to
Sarah Thomas 2014 debut all but assured
NFL ready to break the ‘grass ceiling’ again
Much like any potential official recruit, Sarah Thomas has been on the NFL's watchlist for several years. She is one step closer to becoming the league's first permanent female official, having worn an NFL uniform in a Colts practice. Thomas is part of an apprenticeship program that was formed under the
First female official doesn’t earn stripes, milestone comes with asterisk
According to Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times, former Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference referee Shannon Eastin has been assigned as an official for Thursday's Packers-Chargers preseason game. It is the first time a female has been assigned to officiate an NFL game, preseason or otherwise. While this is a monument of