Mississippian first permanent female official
In a groundbreaking move, the NFL is hiring Sarah Thomas as its first female permanent official for regular-season games, according to sources.
A former official for Conference USA football games — her first C-USA game was the University of Memphis’ 35-14 victory over Jacksonville State in 2007 at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium — Thomas joins the NFL along with seven other officials for next season.
The Brandon, Mississippi, native has officiated NFL preseason games, working as a line judge. Thomas was one of 21 finalists for a permanent officiating job two years ago.
“She has the right temperament and attitude and feel for the game,” an officiating source told The Baltimore Sun. “She knows the rules and understands how to apply them in the spirit of the rules. That sets her apart, male or female.”
The NFL didn’t confirm Thomas’ hire; an official announcement is expected as soon as next week
“The 2015 roster of officials has not yet been finalized,” NFL spokesman Michael Signora said in an e-mail. “When it is, the new officials for 2015 and the entire roster will be announced.”
In 2012, the NFL hired Shannon Eastin during an officiating lockout as its first female official, and she worked one game between the Detroit Lions and St. Louis Rams. She wasn’t a permanent hire, though.
Thomas has experience working the New Orleans Saints’ practices and an Indianapolis Colts minicamp as part of the NFL officiating development program. She also officiated the United Football League championship game in 2010.
Thomas became the first woman to officiate a bowl game when she was picked for the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl in 2009 between Marshall and Ohio.
DEVELOPMENTS
Redskins get safety: The Washington Redskins acquired two-time Pro Bowl free safety Dashon Goldson in a trade Friday with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Redskins will send a 2016 sixth-round draft pick to Tampa Bay; in return, they will get Goldson and a 2016 seventh-round pick.
Last month, they signed strong safety Jeron Johnson, a former Seattle player.
Johnson is projected to start at strong safety. He spent the first four years of his career as a backup to Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas in Seattle.
Washington has a longstanding need at free safety. Since the murder of Sean Taylor in 2007, Washington has failed on numerous free safety signings.
Briefly: The San Francisco 49ers have signed special teams contributor and linebacker Nick Bellore to a two-year contract. The 6-1, 250-pound Bellore has spent his first four years with the New York Jets. He has three tackles and 90 special teams tackles in his career. ... The New Orleans Saints have brought back receiver Joseph Morgan on a one-year contract. Morgan was released by the club last December. Last season, Morgan played in five games, starting two. He caught four passes for 92 yards and had a 67-yard run.