MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2021 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Wiggins, Barnett, Blackwell, Boyd, Branning, Caughman, Chassaniol, England, Fillingane, Hopson, Jackson (11th), Jackson (32nd), Kirby, Parker, Simmons (13th), Sparks, Witherspoon
A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PASCAGOULA NATIVE SARAH THOMAS FOR MAKING HISTORY AS THE FIRST FEMALE REFEREE TO OFFICIATE A SUPER BOWL.
WHEREAS, history was made during the February 7, 2021, Super Bowl in Tampa, Florida, when Pascagoula native Sarah Thomas made her debut as the NFL's first female referee to officiate a Super Bowl. She served as a Line Judge in the Championship Game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; and
WHEREAS, from Pascagoula to Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay takes about eight hours by car but for NFL Official Sarah Thomas and her family, it has been a much longer journey. "We knew that she had determination and whatever was put before her, she would conquer," said her mother, Donna Bailey. "Sarah has always been the trailblazer," said Sarah's brother, Scott Bailey. "Just get her the opportunity and she will show you what she can do. She puts her time and effort into it and she has deserved it." On the field and off, Sarah's family has always been her support system in more ways than one. Her two brothers, Lea and Scott, are also football officials. "I am so proud of my daughter but I am also so proud of my two sons," said Sarah's father, Spencer Bailey. "They are part of the reason she is where she is and they encouraged her and supported her in all the ways brothers can do." At the end of the day, Sarah and her family know she has a job to do and they believe the skills that got her to the biggest stage in football will carry her far beyond it; and
WHEREAS, Thomas began her officiating career in 1996, when she attended a meeting of the Gulf Coast Football Officials Association. She worked her first varsity high school game in 1999. In 2006, Gerry Austin, Conference USA's Coordinator of Officials and a former NFL official, invited her to an official's camp. Austin was impressed with her skills and hired her for the Conference USA staff. In 2007, Sarah became the first woman to officiate a major college football game, working a game between Memphis and Jacksonville State. On November 12, 2011, Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate in a Big Ten stadium, working as a line judge when Northwestern hosted Rice; and
WHEREAS, during the 2009 season, Thomas was one of five female officials in major college football and the only one at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. She was assigned to a crew and given a full schedule of 11 games. At the end of the season, she was selected to work the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl between Marshall and Ohio, making her the first woman to officiate a bowl game. Thomas has officiated United Football League Games, and in 2010 worked the League Championship Game. In 2013, Thomas became one of 21 finalists in contention for a permanent NFL officiating position. Thomas worked New Orleans Saints scrimmages, and was part of the NFL officiating development program; and
WHEREAS, on April 8, 2015, the NFL officially announced that Thomas would become the first full-time female official in NFL history, and was assigned to officiating Crew Head Referee Pet Morelli. Thomas made her NFL regular season debut in a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on September 13, 2015. Thomas' NFL officiating uniform number is 153; and
WHEREAS, "Football has played a very impactful role in my life...It has enhanced the foundation that my parents have laid before me, all those coaches have laid before me, and my ability to just try to keep it together, problem solve, work as a team, and also just be a part of a crew of officials," she said. "It has taught me so much about life...I absolutely love officiating football. It is the longevity of your career that you really want to establish. Being granted the honor of working a Super Bowl means that you finish top of your position." Throughout her journey, rather than specifically dreaming about officiating the Super Bowl, Thomas simply hoped to be the best at her job; and
WHEREAS, it is with great pride that we commend this Mississippi citizen who is a pioneer in her field and has brought honor to her family, her community and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize Sarah Thomas of Brandon, Mississippi, for making history as the first female referee to officiate a Super Bowl and as a pioneer in female football officiating, and extend the best wishes of the Legislature to Sarah and her family as her landmark career continues.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to Sarah Thomas, forwarded to the NFL corporate office, and be made available to the Capitol Press Corps.