releases: https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/tribute-sarah-thomas
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/tribute-sarah-thomas | TRIBUTE TO SARAH THOMAS | 2021-02-03 | 2021 | 2021-02 | Republican | Senate | MS | Cindy Hyde-Smith | H001079 | www.hydesmith.senate.gov | hydesmith | https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/newsroom | scraper | 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. | 1 | 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z | 2026-04-06T19:26:35Z |