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The NFL on Friday announced the hiring of Maia Chaka as the second woman and the first black woman among NFL field officials. This means that at least one official from last season will not return.
Football Zebras reports that the number so far is three, as officials Ruben Fowler, Tom Symonette and Bart Longson will not return to the NFL for the 2021 season.
The NFL does not usually announce a reason for an officer to leave, instead characterizing it as a retirement, even if involuntary, according to Football Zebras.
The NFL is due to release its full list of employees in May.
Longson, line judge for referee Tony Current’s team last season, leaves the NFL after six seasons.
Symonette, line judge for referee John Hussey’s team in 2020, leaves the NFL after 17 seasons. He is the current officer coordinator for the Division II Southern Inter-College Athletic Conference.
Fowler, a referee on referee Craig Wrolstad’s team in 2020, leaves the NFL after 15 seasons.
Five field officials and two replay officers chose not to participate in the 2020 season due to the concerns of COVID-19.