Maia Chaka

Maia Chaka (born 1981/1982 (age 39–40))[1] is an official in the National Football League, wearing uniform number 100. She is the first black woman hired by the NFL as an on-field official.[2][3] The native of Rochester, New York[4] became the league's third female on-field official after Shannon Eastin and Sarah Thomas.

Officiating career

Chaka began by officiating at high school football games in Virginia. In 2011, she began officiating Football Bowl Subdivision I-A and Division III college games.[1] Chaka served as an official for the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl, along with Thomas. Chaka joined the Officiating Development Program for the NFL in 2014.[5]

In the 2020/2021 Pac-12 season, Chaka was the head linesman, including at the 2021 Senior Bowl.[5] Her first NFL game as line judge was on September 12, 2021, between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets.[6]

Education and non-officiating career

In 2000, Chaka graduated from Edison Career & Technology High School, Rochester.[1] She graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006.[5] Chaka teaches health and physical education in Virginia Beach.[6]

See also

References
  1. Johnson, James (July 2, 2011). "Female ref is blazing a trail". Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, New York). p. 37.
  2. Austro, Ben (2021-03-05). "NFL hires Maia Chaka, the league's first Black woman official". Football Zebras. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  3. "Maia Chaka becomes first Black woman named to NFL's officiating staff". NFL.com. Retrieved 2021-03-08.
  4. "'I thought I was being punked.' Rochester native Maia Chaka is NFL's first Black female referee".
  5. "Meet Maia Chaka, the NFL's first Black female official for 2021 season". MSN. September 10, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  6. "Maia Chaka Is The 1st Black Woman To Officiate An NFL Game". NPR.org. September 13, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
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