Sarah Thomas was the first referee in the Super Bowl at the beginning of February, now the next woman in the NFL is writing history: In Maia Chaka, a black woman will be part of the referee team for the first time in the coming season.
“I am honored to have been selected as an NFL referee,” said Chaka on Friday: “But this moment is greater than a personal achievement. It stands as an achievement for all women, my community and my culture.”
NFL Vice President Troy Vincent looks forward to Chaka. “Maia’s years of hard work, dedication and perseverance earned her the position,” said Vincent. “Maia is a trailblazer as the first black referee and inspires us to see women as normal on the football field.”
Thomas was used as a down judge in the NFL final between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs (31: 9). Previously, no woman had been allowed to hold such a position in the Super Bowl.
