Sarah Thomas
About the speaker
Sarah Thomas changed the game in the world’s most quintessential male-dominated sport – football – when she became the first female NFL official. Now she’s inspiring others to dream big and believe anything is possible.
She officiated her first NFL game on September 13, 2015,... More
Sarah Thomas changed the game in the world’s most quintessential male-dominated sport – football – when she became the first female NFL official. Now she’s inspiring others to dream big and believe anything is possible.
She officiated her first NFL game on September 13, 2015, between the Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans – and on February 7, 2021, she became the first female to officiate a Super Bowl. Today, Sarah’s hat, whistle, and flag are on display at the NFL Hall of Fame and serve as a testament to her historic achievements. Named one of the Sports Illustrated 100 most influential figures of all time, Sarah is no stranger to being the first or breaking gender-barriers.
Since joining the NFL’s roster of officials, she has become a trailblazing inspiration to women everywhere, and she keeps the mindset of being the best you can be – no barrier or ceiling is shatterproof.
Off the field, Sarah is a Marketing Specialist for Mid-South Rehab, Inc. She was born in Pascagoula, Mississippi. She is a graduate of the University of Mobile, where she earned a full scholarship as a basketball player and Academic All-American honors. She has had many national recognitions for her accomplishments throughout her journey, but nothing compares to being a mom to her three beautiful children, Bridley, Brady, and Bailey.
Sample Session Topic
Breaking Barriers—and Staying at the Top: Make the Call, Own the Moment & Raise the Bar
Breaking through is only the beginning. Staying at the top takes resilience, preparation, confidence, adaptability, and the ability to perform when expectations and scrutiny are at their highest. Drawing on hard-earned lessons from her groundbreaking career, Sarah Thomas takes audiences beyond the story of becoming “the first” to explore what it takes to build credibility, navigate change, overcome setbacks, make tough calls under pressure, and continually raise the bar.
A captivating storyteller with a natural sense of humor, Sarah connects with anyone who has ever been the first, the only, underestimated, or challenged to prove they belong. Through candid stories and practical insights that resonate across roles and industries, she shows audiences how to turn obstacles into opportunities, stay focused when the pressure is on, and sustain success long after the breakthrough moment.
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Additional Resources
- Videos
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videoSarah Thomas: Speaking Reel
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videoNFL referee and Pascagoula native Sarah Thomas talks football, family and health
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videoSarah Thomas - NFL Official and Trailblazer (Women's History Month) (Ep. 51)
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videoMeet Sarah Thomas, The 1st Woman To Officiate A Super Bowl | TODAY
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