The NFL is set to hire Sarah Thomas as its first full-time female official, according to a report from Aaron Wilson of the Baltimore Sun.
"Hearing the NFL has hired its first female official, Sarah Thomas, a ground-breaking move. Mississippi native was a finalist previously," Wilson tweeted early Friday.
It was reported last offseason by Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman that Thomas would likely begin officiating games full-time during the 2014 season, but unfortunately for Thomas, that did not come to fruition.
Thomas, a Conference USA official since 2007, became the first female official to take part in a bowl game in 2009, per Travis Durkee of Sporting News.
She has worked New Orleans Saints training camps and already officiated an NFL preseason game in 2013.
"She's a natural," NFL Vice President of Officiating Dean Blandino said of Thomas, per Freeman. "One of the things we look for in young officials is, are they intimidated on the field? She is not. She has all the characteristics we want in an official.
"Sarah is in a unique position, obviously, but she will be defined by the calls she makes on the field. Just like every other official."
Since the NFL's inaugural 1920 season, there has never been a permanent female official. It was only six seasons ago that Mike Carey became the first African-American official to referee a Super Bowl.
"People who know who I am understand this is something I've wanted to do for a long time," Thomas said. "They know how serious I am and how dedicated I am to this job. I put as much effort into this as anyone."
Thomas said that during her time working training camps she's never received negative feedback because of her gender and felt that most players didn't seem to care.
Shannon Eastin, a replacement official in 2012, is the first woman to ever officiate an NFL regular season game.
If Wilson's report is accurate, Thomas would become the first female official to hold the job on a full-time basis.
The NFL though, wants fans to know that this isn't a PR stunt or media-relations move - it is simply looking to expand its base of in-game officials and Thomas is as the top of the list of qualified candidates.
"I started officiating 17 years ago," Thomas said. "I had no idea there were no females officiating in the NFL. That's not what I set out to do. I just wanted to be a good official."
