Sarah Thomas hired as full-time NFL official

For the first time in league history, the NFL has hired a female official for a full-time position.

On Wednesday, the NFL announced the hiring of nine first-year officials. Sarah Thomas, who will start out as a line judge, is among them. As Pro Football Talk notes, Thomas — like her fellow officials — will have the opportunity to move up the ranks based on her performance and is eligible to one day become a referee.

Thomas will be the first full-time female official in NFL history, but not the first female official to work a game. A female official was hired as a replacement during the lockout in 2012.

As we saw recently with the comments Chris Paul made about a female NBA referee, this can be a touchy subject. Let’s hope Thomas is treated with the same respect any male officials or referees would be given.