NFL pioneer Thomas on goals: 'Don't do it for recognition. ... Do it because you love it'
Sarah Thomas, the NFL's first female game official, might have made an error in judgment Tuesday.
The Brandon, Mississippi, resident may have assumed that she was the only female football official in attendance when she spoke to about 100 people at Penn State Behrend's McGarvey Commons.
Thomas, as part of the school's speaker series, was there to discuss her historic role in America's most popular sport. The NFL's 2021 season was her seventh as a down judge, which means she's in charge of the line of scrimmage along a sideline.
Thomas' speech was ripe with humorous anecdotes and advice, all of which were augmented by her southern drawl. The 48-year-old official, also a wife and mother of three, assumed she'd be the only female football referee in the auditorium.
Thomas was elated to learn that wasn't the case when Leah Ann Williams spoke during an informal question-and-answer session.
Williams, 57, retired in 2020 after 35 years as a teacher in the New Castle Area School District. It was around that same time the West Middlesex resident initially took the test to see if she could become a high school football official.
Not only did Williams pass, the PIAA's 2021 season was her second working games with officiating crews in and around Mercer County.
Williams drove from West Middlesex to meet Thomas, whom she called her idol.
“She's why I did this,” Williams said. “I followed Sarah's story and when I saw her on TV during a (Pittsburgh) Steelers game I finally thought, 'You know what? I can do it this too.'
"I expected a lot of pushback not only being a girl, but an older girl. It is weird because it's a boys sport. But the guys have been welcoming, so it's been a great experience.”
As was the experience that happened moments later.
Thomas, made aware Williams was a football official, approached her for a hug and some brief encouragement.
“Keep doing what you're doing,” Thomas said.
Advice beyond football
Thomas began officiating youth sports in 1996. However, it wasn't until 2007 when the former pharmaceutical representative saw her current career start to fully develop.
That year, Thomas was hired by Conference USA, a mid-level NCAA Division I football league. She became college football's first Division I official when she worked a game between Memphis and Jacksonville State. She worked in her first postseason game at the 2009 Little Caesars Bowl in Detroit.
Thomas was promoted to officiating Big Ten Conference football in 2011. Her first tryout camp to become an NFL official happened in 2013, with her historic hire occurring two years later.
Thomas' official debut on a sideline occurred Sept. 13, 2015, when the Houston Texans hosted the Kansas City Chiefs.
Such historic breakthroughs continued when she worked her first postseason game, a 2018 AFC divisional playoff between the Los Angeles Chargers and New England, and then Super Bowl XV between Kansas City and Tampa Bay in February 2021.
Such significant facts, though, were mentioned only when Thomas was introduced.
Instead, she provided colorful advice she hoped would resonate beyond her occupation:
∎ “If you're not the one motivating yourself, you need to check yourself at the door.”
∎ "Accept the fact that some days you are the pigeon and some days you are the statue.”
∎ “Don't let people drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance.”
∎ “Be yourself. Because everyone else is already taken.”
∎ “Do it because you love it.”
Thomas also spoke at length during the Q&A session.
On officials working with alongside NFL teams during the preseason: “It's a training camp for us as much as it is the players.”
On changing in and out of her uniform for games: “When I got to the league, there were places that didn't have rooms for me (to change). That's changed since then, but I used to have change in a motorcoach.”
On the attitude that some males have of female officials and coaches in the league: “There's always going to be those kinds of people. We, as women, have to know that we will dictate the way we're treated. When you walk into a room, have an air of confidence about you. Then, it will become infectious.”
On reaping the benefits provided by the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, or Title IX: “That's the reason when I was in fifth grade that, without hesitation, my Aunt Jill said to go out for the boys (basketball) team. She was very instrumental in all that I've accomplished. I was very well aware of (Title IX) then and I'm so glad we have it.”
Thanks, but no thanks
Thomas added that while she isn't averse to greater roles on an NFL officiating crew, she emphasized that being the head referee is one promotion too far.
“I have enough trouble managing one man (her husband, Brian),” she said. “I can't imagine managing seven of you at the same time. Look, I know my limits.”
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: NFL pioneer Sarah Thomas on life goals: 'Do it because you love it'
