Sarah Thomas
Sarah Thomas (née Bailey; born September 21, 1973)[2][3] is an American football referee for the National Football League (NFL). Thomas is the first woman to be a permanent NFL official.[4][5] Thomas is breaking gender barriers around her career.[6][7] Thomas was the first woman to officiate the Super Bowl.[8] She refereed the Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida, in 2021.[4][9]
Sarah Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sarah Bailey September 21, 1973 Pascagoula, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Occupation | NFL official (2015–present) |
| Spouse(s) | Brian Thomas (m. 2000)[1] |
| Children | 3 |
Early Life
Sarah Thomas was raised in Pascagoula Mississippi.[6] She and her brother played sports.[6][4] She received a scholarship for basketball at the University of Mobile.[6][9] Thomas was recorded 5th best in the school for her excellence in basketball. [6] Her statistics over five seasons: 779 points, 411 rebounds, 108 assists, and 192 steals. [6] Thomas was titled Academic All-American at Mobile.[6][9] She aided her team get to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Tournament. Thomas got a degree in communications and graduated Mobile in 1995.[6]
First Jobs
Thomas was interested in becoming a Football official after college.[9][4] She went with her older brother to his officiating meeting. She started being an official for grade school, and then high schools in 1999.[4] Thomas officiated a high school state championship game in Mississippi, 2007.[6] Joe Henes, who is a retired official told Gerry Austin, a supervisor of Conference USA’s officials about Thomas and her ability to officiate.[9] Joe Henes recommended she start officiating college football.[6] Austin looked into her skill set and hired Thomas.[6] This made her the first woman to officiate a major college game.[9]
Skills
Thomas has good communication skills.[6] She can talk to coaches.[6] She listens to the coach when they are questioning the call.[6] She calms them down.[6] Coaches are confident about her abilities.[5]
References
- ↑ "SPORTS VICTORIES—Sarah Thomas: Believer, Wife, Mom, and NCAA Football Official". mschristianliving.com. February 21, 2014. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014. Retrieved 2015-08-17.
- ↑ Stephenson, Creg (May 23, 2014). NFL: Pascagoula native Sarah Bailey Thomas not among 12 new officials hired for 2014. http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-sports/2014/05/nfl_pascagoula_native_sarah_ba.html. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ Rockwell, Curtis (August 15, 2015). NFL history was made Saturday night, and Pascagoula's Sarah Thomas was part of it. http://blog.gulflive.com/mississippi-press-news/2015/08/nfl_history_was_made_saturday.html. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Sarah Thomas". Gale Biography Online Collection. 2021-05-11 – via Gale.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Who is Sarah Thomas? Fascinating things to know about first female Super Bowl referee". International Business TImes. 2021-02-07. https://www.ibtimes.co.in/who-sarah-thomas-fascinating-things-know-about-first-female-super-bowl-referee-832974. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
- ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 6.12 6.13 6.14 "Meet Sarah Thomas, NFL's first female official". ESPN.com. 2015-04-17. Retrieved 2023-08-29.
- ↑ Wilson, Ryan (2015-04-08). "NFL announces Sarah Thomas will be league's first female official". CBS Sports. https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/nfl-announces-sarah-thomas-will-be-leagues-first-female-official/. Retrieved 2021-12-08.
- ↑ "Sarah Thomas Recalls Road To Being First Woman To Officiate Super Bowl". www.baynews9.com. Retrieved 2022-01-29.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 9.5 9.6 Swinton, Elizabeth. "Five Things to Know About Sarah Thomas". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved 2021-02-10.