Are you ready for some football…with female referees?

I read an Associated Press story by Teresa Walker that highlighted Sarah Thomas. Sarah Thomas is an NCAA Division I official, one of seven such women in NCAA Division I football. There are two things that make Sarah unique: 1) on October 17, 2009, she worked as a head linesman in a United Football League game between the California Redwoods and New York Sentinels and; 2) she is being scouted by the National Football League as an officiating prospect. There is one female official in major pro sports – Violet Palmer is an NBA official – so Sarah’s ascension to the NFL would be no small thing. It is my belief that Sarah Thomas’ entry to the NFL would be easier (not easy) than other women who have tried to enter this very macho man’s domain.  Think about female journalists and female sideline reporters.  Going back to the Lisa Olson-New England Patriots debacle years ago, women jounalists have struggled to be taken seriously in male lockerrooms, especially the NFL.  Since the Olson incident, the instances of boys behaving badlyin the lockerroms have been few and far between.  Sideline reporters have also had a tough time being taken seriously, having to fight the perception they’re just pretty faces on the sidelines serving as eye candy for the male viewers.   That perception is starting to change thanks to women such as Bonnie Bernstein, Suzy Kolber, Michele Tafoya, Erin Andrews, and Andrea Kremer, who are not afraid to ask pointed questions and break stories from the sidelines.  It is my contention that, as with any referee – male or female – players will see how far they can push to see if that person can be intimidated.  If the day does come when Sarah Thomas or other female referees break into the NFL, that will be the case.  Past that, she’ll be just another “zebra” making calls.  Would male NFL officials have a problem with a woman joining their ranks?  Perhaps.  The positive aspect is that college and professional referees are part-time employees.  Away from the field, officials have “day jobs” as working professionals.  They tend to be more educated, which means they may be more receptive and accepting of women officials, as long as they are competent to carry out their jobs.  The National Football League is picky when it comes to a lot of things and their referees are on that list.  How incredible will it be to tune in to Monday Night Football and see a female official on the sideline?  That’s some football I am ready to see.