ABC News reports, Sarah Thomas, 39, is set to make history.  Investing over 16 years into her career of officiating grade school, high school and college football games, Thomas, was discovered by a diligent NFL scout. The married mother of three, self-described as a “tomboy” has earned an unprecedented feat becoming the first full-time referee for the NFL.

Gerald Austin, a retired NFL official, recalled his conversation with the scout.  “He called me one day and said, ‘I have an official that I think you need to look at,’” he said. “I said, ‘OK, Joe, what’s his name?’ And he says, ‘His name is Sarah.’ I said, ‘Sarah?’ He said, ‘Yeah, he’s a she.’”

Thomas, a Mississippi native, is now one of 21 finalists in the NFL officiating development program. She’s a top contender for the next available slot, meaning she could shatter the glass ceiling and become the league’s first permanent female game official.

Thomas went on to become the first female to officiate in a Division 1-A High School football game in Mississippi and then began officiating at the college level in 2007. The determined forerunner shares,

“When I got started in this 17 years ago, I had no idea that there weren’t any females officiating,” Thomas said. “I never set out to become the first female official in the NFL. I’m just glad to be an official, wherever that may be, and just want to do the best job I can do,” she said. Thomas says that despite being a woman in the male-dominated sport of football, she does not feel like her gender slows her down or inhibits her opportunities.

Niki Gatewood (@THE_NikiG)