Next month Sarah Thomas will become the first woman to make a Super Bowl official, the NFL announced Tuesday. Thomas will serve as a judge on the Carl Cheffers referee team at the Super Bowl LV in Tampa, Florida.
Thomas joined the NFL in 2015 as the first female field official. The league assembles its Super Bowl referee team based on eligibility – a minimum of five years of experience is required – as well as season performance. She has worked a total of four postseason games in six seasons with the league.
In a statement, NFL executive vice president of football operations, Troy Vincent, said: “Sarah Thomas made history again as the first official woman in the Super Bowl. Her elite performance and commitment to excellence earned her the right to referee the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved tribute. “
Cheffers will be working on their second Super Bowl in five seasons, having also served as a team leader for Super Bowl LI. Four other team members – referee Fred Bryan, line judge Rusty Baynes, side judge Eugene Hall and judge Dino Paganelli – worked on at least one Super Bowl. Field judge James Coleman will complete the team.