Meet Maia Chaka the NFLs first Black female official for 2021 s
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Posted by John Short - Filed in Arts & Culture - 499 views
The NFL has added a second female official to its officiating roster for Joshua Dobbs Jersey 2021. Maia Chaka, , will make history in her own right as the first Black woman to officiate games in the league.
The announcement was made exclusively on NBC's "The TODAY Show"on Friday morning. Chaka, who spent seven years in the NFL's Officiating Development Program, was overwhelmed learning the news of her March 1 promotionfrom working college football games in the Pac-12 Conference.
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"It didn't really hit me until just now," "When I saw the introduction, I'm Mike Hart Jersey like, 'This is really real,' because this is just something that we're just always taught to work hard for. Sometimes we just don't take time to stop and smell our own roses. ... I've just been grinding for so long at this, it's just an honor to be able to join the National Football League."
While Chaka can't wait to get to work, here's what you should Marcell Harris Jersey know about her:
What is Maia Chaka's non-NFL job?
Chaka, a 2006 graduate of Norfolk State University,is a high school health and physical education teacher at the Renai sance Academy, part of the public school system in Virginia Beach. When she was 32 in the summer of 2014, she was one of 21 referees chosenfor the NFL's Officiating Development Program. She was DeAndre Hopkins Jersey one of two women selected the other was Thomas, who hails from Brandon, Mi s.
"There were a couple of scouts around the area and they watched me progre s as an official throughout my college career," seven years ago."And based upon my performance in college, they invited me to be a part of the program."
At the time, then-NFL vice president of Pierson McAtee Jersey officiating Dean Blandino heaped high praise onChaka, saying she had a "great understanding of the game." Also in the article, Blandinoexpre sed confidence that Chaka would Jonathan Anderson Jersey move up the ranks fast through the program, much like Thomas did.
"Maia has just worked her way up the ladder," Blandino said then. "She's shown progre s at every level. We look forward to her continuing her career in officiating."
Maia Chaka knowsher achievement is groundbreaking
Chaka is well aware that earning her new position isimportant to continue opening doors for Austin Davis Jersey more diversity in the NFL's hires, officiating and otherwise.
"I am honored to be selected as an NFL official," Chaka said in a statement released by the league. "But this moment is bigger than a personal accomplishment. It is an accomplishment for all women, my community, and my culture."
The importance of rewarding Chaka also isn't lost on Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of football operations.
"Maia's Grant Hill Jersey years of hard work, dedication and perseverance including as part of the NFL Officiating Development Program have earned her a position as an NFL official," Vincent said in the statement."As we celebrate Women's History Month, Maia is a trailblazer as the first Black female official and inspires us toward normalizing women on the football field."
What is Maia Chaka's previous officiating experience?
Chaka and Thomas made history together for Conference USA as two female officials on the same crew Jake Oliver Jersey for the 2013Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.
Chaka officiated as a head linesman for Pac-12 games last season. Her most recent a signment in that capacity was at an all-star game for NFL scouts, the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 30.
She Angelo Blackson Jersey also was named to an officiating crew in theshort-lived XFL revival in 2020 after working Alliance of American Football games in 2019. Although 2021 will mark her first NFL regular-season a signments, Chaka already has worked four preseason games as part of the developmental program.