TRIBUTE TO SARAH THOMAS
Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 20
(Senate - February 3, 2021) PDF
Mr. President, now on a more positive note, I would like to speak on
a separate and special matter.
As Americans and people around the world settle in front of their
televisions this Sunday to watch the 55th annual Super Bowl, they will
be tuning in to a historic event. I am not speaking about the impact of
the COVID-19 pandemic on the game or Tom Brady's record Super Bowl
appearances. Instead, I am focused on the history that will be made by
an exceptional woman from Mississippi, my good friend Sarah Thomas.
Sarah Thomas, a native of Pascagoula, MS, will go down in sports
history on Sunday as the first woman to officiate the Super Bowl.
Sarah has always had a passion for athletics. She made a name for
herself in high school sports. She became an Academic All-American in
basketball at the University of Mobile, where she amassed a career
record of 779 points, 441 rebounds, 108 assists, and 192 steals--
accomplishments that illustrate her determination to perform at the
highest levels.
While the news of a female officiant for the Super Bowl is a historic
first, Sarah is no stranger to making history. Following college,
Sarah's attention shifted to football--namely, officiating games. She
quickly earned a reputation as an elite referee while officiating high
school games.
Sarah became the first woman to officiate a Division 1A high school
game in Mississippi. Sarah continued to do so well in her craft that it
caught the attention of renowned NFL official Gerry Austin, who invited
her to an officials' camp. Here again, Sarah's talents proved
impressive, and she soon became the first woman to officiate a college
football game and the first woman to officiate a college bowl game.
The NFL hired Sarah as its first female official in 2015, and in 2019
she became the first woman to officiate an NFL playoff game.
To me and many others, Sarah's selection to officiate at Super Bowl
LV is just a natural progression for a talented professional. I can
assure you, anyone who knows Sarah as I do will not be surprised by her
successful career.
Sarah--a mother, a career woman--has all the qualities I imagine the
NFL wants in a good official: smart, confident, decisive, reliable, and
committed.
My State of Mississippi is extremely proud of Sarah Thomas, and we
look forward to watching her latest history-making appearance at the
Super Bowl.
And to Sarah's children--these precious children: Bridley, Brady, and
Bailey--congratulations to you on this historic achievement, and you
can be so proud of your mother.
I yield the floor.