How Many Female Referees Are In The NFL

The question sounds simple: how many female referees are in the NFL? The best short answer is that the league currently has a small but growing number of women on the field as officials, but no woman has yet been assigned to the NFL’s specific “referee” role (the white-hat crew chief) in a regular-season game. In everyday conversation, fans often use “referee” to mean any official who throws flags and makes calls. This article explains both meanings in clear, friendly language, shows exactly how many women are on NFL crews right now, and walks through how they got there, what they do, and what might happen next.

The short answer

As of the most recent NFL seasons, there are three women working as on-field NFL officials: Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo. They serve at the line of scrimmage (the positions commonly called down judge or line judge). However, there are currently zero women who serve as the NFL’s designated “referee,” which is the crew chief position wearing the white hat. So if you mean “referee” in the strict NFL sense, the answer is zero. If you mean “referee” the way most fans do—any on-field official—the answer is three.

That number may change in the future as more women advance through the officiating pipeline, but today this is the clearest way to understand it.

Referee vs. official: what the words mean

In everyday speech, “referee” often means anyone who officiates a game. In the NFL, “referee” is one very specific job on a crew. Each NFL game has a crew of seven on-field officials. One of them is the crew chief, called the referee, who wears a white hat. Everyone else wears a black hat and is called an official according to their position: umpire, down judge, line judge, field judge, side judge, and back judge. Each role has distinct responsibilities and mechanics.

That difference in terms is the main reason this topic gets confusing. When people ask how many female referees are in the NFL, they usually mean “How many women work on the field as officials?” Under that common meaning, there are three. Under the strict NFL job title, there are currently none.

Meet the women on today’s NFL officiating roster

Sarah Thomas

Sarah Thomas made history in 2015 as the first woman hired as a full-time on-field NFL official. She works at the line of scrimmage and is most widely recognized as a down judge. Her career has been full of firsts. Before the NFL, she officiated major college football and top bowl games. In 2021, she became the first woman to work a Super Bowl on the field, serving as the down judge in Super Bowl LV. That assignment signaled a high level of trust from the league, which grades every official on every play throughout the season and the playoffs.

Thomas is known for calm, consistent mechanics and strong game management—traits that matter a great deal at the line of scrimmage, where clean communication, proper positioning, and rule enforcement keep the game moving. Her success has helped normalize seeing women in stripes on NFL sidelines, not as a novelty, but as experienced professionals doing demanding work at a high level.

Maia Chaka

Maia Chaka joined the NFL’s on-field staff in 2021, becoming the second woman and the first Black woman to serve as an NFL game official. Like Thomas, Chaka works the line of scrimmage. Before reaching the league, she officiated in NCAA Division I conferences and developmental events that the NFL uses to evaluate and train rising talent.

Chaka’s path reflects the steady, years-long process most NFL officials follow. Advancement isn’t about a single tryout. It is about consistent performance at the high school, college, and minor professional levels, strong rules knowledge, precise mechanics, teamwork, and the ability to manage high-pressure moments with clarity. Chaka’s presence has inspired many younger officials—especially women and girls—to view football officiating as a real, rewarding path.

Robin DeLorenzo

Robin DeLorenzo joined the NFL as an on-field official more recently, giving the league three active women on the field. She also works at the line of scrimmage. DeLorenzo spent years in college football, including top-tier conferences, before earning her place on the NFL roster. That background is common among NFL hires; the league wants a long track record of excellence and discipline before an official gets the call up.

With DeLorenzo’s addition, the number of women working on the field at the same time reached its highest level yet. While three out of more than one hundred total on-field officials is a small share, it represents steady progress, especially considering that a decade ago there were none in permanent roles.

Pioneers who opened doors

Shannon Eastin

In 2012, during a labor dispute with the NFL Referees Association, the league used temporary replacements for a handful of games. Shannon Eastin worked as one of those replacement officials, becoming the first woman ever to officiate an NFL game. She was not a full-time NFL hire, but her appearance broke ground and helped many fans and aspiring officials picture a future that included women on the field. Representation often starts with a single moment that shifts expectations. Eastin’s moment did that.

Terri Valenti and the replay booth

The NFL has also seen women move into the replay booth. Terri Valenti became the first woman to serve as an NFL replay official. Replay officials do not work on the field, but they play a crucial role in confirming or reversing calls. They need deep rules knowledge, meticulous attention to detail, and the confidence to deliver clear decisions in real time. Valenti’s path shows how women can rise within multiple officiating tracks, not only on the grass but also in the booth where close calls are reviewed.

How an NFL officiating crew works

An NFL crew on game day has seven on-field officials, plus support from the command center in New York and from a replay official on site. Every person has a specific zone and set of responsibilities. The crew is a team, and good crews communicate constantly—before snaps, after plays, and during dead-ball intervals.

The white-hat referee leads the crew, announces penalties, manages the clock, and is the final voice for administrative decisions. The umpire helps with player safety in the middle of the field and watches action around the line. The down judge and line judge work the line of scrimmage, monitoring neutral zone infractions, offside, illegal shifts, and action on receivers at the start of plays. The field judge, side judge, and back judge cover deeper zones, track receiver routes, and observe defensive contact and catch process downfield.

Why the line of scrimmage roles matter

The two line-of-scrimmage positions are vital. They watch snap timing, ensure that formations are legal, monitor motions and shifts, and protect the integrity of the play at its start. Many officiating veterans will tell you that good line-of-scrimmage work sets the tone for the whole game. That is where Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo contribute every week. Their jobs demand decisive flag throwing, crisp communication with the referee, and strong presence with both offensive and defensive lines.

So, how many female referees are there, exactly?

If you use “referee” to mean the specific white-hat crew chief: zero women have filled that role in a regular-season NFL game so far. That could change in the future if a woman is promoted to crew chief.

If you use “referee” to mean any on-field official: there are three women on the field—Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo. They are full-time NFL officials assigned to line-of-scrimmage duties. This is the most women the league has had on the field at one time.

How someone becomes an NFL official

Reaching the NFL takes years of work. Most officials begin at the high school level while holding full-time jobs in other fields. They learn rules, mechanics, positioning, and game management. They attend clinics, seek feedback, and build a network of mentors. After success in high school, many move to small-college conferences, then to Division II or Division I. Along the way, they may be identified by the NFL’s Officiating Development Program, which invites promising officials to evaluation camps, film sessions, and preseason assignments.

The NFL watches officials closely in college all-star games, postseason bowls, and spring football leagues. Consistent performance matters more than a single flashy assignment. Officials must demonstrate fitness, judgment, communication, and calm under pressure week after week. Only a small number make it to the NFL each year, and even fewer reach playoff assignments or leadership roles.

What the pipeline looks like for women

In recent years, more women have entered that pipeline at the high school and college levels. You can now find women working Division I games on the line of scrimmage and in deep positions. Alternative professional leagues—like spring leagues—have also given women meaningful reps with professional mechanics. The more women rise in college, the larger the pool for NFL hiring becomes.

This is why the presence of Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo matters beyond Sundays. Their success makes it easier for assigners and supervisors to see women as strong candidates. It also encourages younger officials to stay with the craft through the long, demanding journey that officiating requires.

Common questions and clear answers

Are there any female referees in the strict NFL sense?

No. As of now, no woman has served as the NFL’s white-hat referee (crew chief) in a regular-season game. The NFL currently has three women on the field as officials, but all of them work other positions. The first woman to become a crew chief would be a major milestone and would likely come after years of strong performance and playoff assignments at other positions.

Do players and coaches treat women officials differently?

NFL culture is highly professional, and officials—men and women—are judged on accuracy, mechanics, and communication. Players and coaches might notice a woman on the field because it is still less common, but what matters in the long run is competence. The women currently on the field earned their spots and have sustained them with reliable performance.

Do women officiate fewer penalties or call games differently?

Officiating is measured and graded on every snap by the league. The expectation is consistency across crews and across weeks. Any official who deviates from standards—calling too tight or too loose—is coached and graded accordingly. The goal is not to have a “style,” but to apply the rulebook with steady accuracy. That is true regardless of gender.

What about the replay booth?

Women have also served in NFL replay roles. The most visible example is Terri Valenti, who became the first woman replay official in the league. Replay is a specialized job requiring deep rules knowledge and careful video analysis. It is another important path for women to influence game outcomes at the highest level.

Why the terminology matters when you ask the question

When people ask “How many female referees are in the NFL?” they usually just want to know how many women work NFL games in stripes. But if you are talking with a rules expert or an official, they may interpret the question narrowly and answer “zero,” because “referee” is a specific role. So both answers can be correct depending on the wording.

To be clear and accurate, you can say: “There are three women serving as on-field NFL officials. None has yet been assigned as the white-hat referee.” That phrasing respects the NFL’s job titles and gives the number most fans care about.

Progress by the numbers

A decade ago, there were no women in permanent on-field NFL roles. In 2015, Sarah Thomas arrived as the first. From 2015 to 2020, that number stayed at one. In 2021, Maia Chaka made it two. In 2023, Robin DeLorenzo brought the count to three. That growth is gradual, but it is real. Considering the NFL keeps a limited roster of officials and turnover is modest, each new hire is significant.

The total number of on-field NFL officials in a season is a little over one hundred, spread across 17 crews plus a handful of swing officials. With three women on the field, the share is still small, but the direction is upward. Pipeline growth at the college level suggests more candidates will be ready in coming years.

What it takes to become a crew chief

The jump from an on-field position to the white-hat referee role is a big one. Crew chiefs are decision-makers and communicators. They must understand clock operations, penalty enforcement chains, replay procedures, and unusual rules applications on complex plays. While every official must know those things, the referee is the person who announces decisions to millions of viewers and who keeps the game moving smoothly under pressure.

Officials who become referees usually spend years excelling at their prior position, then serve as alternate referees in preseason or fill-in roles, and finally earn a promotion when a veteran retires or when the league needs more crew chiefs. There is no shortcut, and the bar is high. That path explains why the NFL has not yet had a woman in the white hat, but it also shows a clear roadmap for when it might happen.

The impact of women on the field

Representation changes expectations. When fans see women making big calls in big games, it becomes normal. When young officials see that path, they believe they can follow it. And when supervisors watch women succeed at the highest level, it expands the talent pool for future leadership roles, including the first female referee.

There is also a practical impact. Adding strong officials—men or women—improves the game. The more high-quality people in the pipeline, the better crews can become. Sarah Thomas’s Super Bowl assignment, Maia Chaka’s steady work on Sundays, and Robin DeLorenzo’s presence on a crew all signal that the NFL values performance above all.

How to spot the officials during a broadcast

You can identify who is who if you know where to look. The referee wears a white hat and often stands behind the offense, shaded to the quarterback’s throwing arm, before the snap. The umpire positions closer to the defensive front, depending on mechanics. The down judge and line judge flank the line of scrimmage on opposite sidelines. Deep officials position off the line, each with a coverage zone.

Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo work at the line of scrimmage, so you will usually find them aligned on a sideline in line with the football. During the play, they move with the action, watching for holds, illegal contact at the line, and action near the boundary. After the play, they relay the ball’s spot, communicate substitutions, and ensure the next snap is legal.

Milestones on the road to now

2012 saw the first woman ever to officiate an NFL game when Shannon Eastin worked as a temporary replacement. That moment showed it could happen. In 2015, the NFL hired Sarah Thomas as its first permanent female official. In 2021, Thomas reached the Super Bowl, and Maia Chaka joined the on-field staff as the first Black woman in that role. In 2023, Robin DeLorenzo became the third active woman on the field. The league also opened opportunities in the replay booth, with Terri Valenti serving as the first woman replay official.

These milestones were years apart, but each one has helped the next arrive a little faster. Progress is gradual in officiating because the pipeline is long and the jobs are few. But the trend is steady.

What might happen next

Three questions shape the near future. First, will more women reach Division I college football at the highest levels? That is the main feeder to the NFL. Second, will the NFL continue to see women receive preseason trials and spring league reps? Those reps matter for evaluation and confidence. Third, when will the first woman assume the white-hat referee role? That will likely take a combination of tenure, elite grades, playoff experience, and a crew-chief opening at the right moment.

None of those questions has a guaranteed date. But given the current trajectory and the growing number of women in the pipeline, seeing more female officials on NFL fields—and eventually a female referee—looks increasingly likely.

Advice for aspiring officials (women and men)

If you are curious about officiating, start locally. Join your state or regional officiating association. Work youth games to learn mechanics. Seek a mentor who can give film-based feedback. Read the rulebook and case book, then read them again. Fitness matters; so does presence and communication. When you are ready, apply for college development camps and be willing to travel for opportunities. Patience is essential. Most NFL officials spend a decade or more honing their craft before the league calls.

For women specifically, look for clinics and networks that support female officials. Many conferences, clinics, and groups now offer targeted support and community for women in stripes. The path is the same for everyone, but good mentors and a strong network make it easier to stay the course.

Why this topic matters to fans

Understanding officiating makes you a smarter viewer. When you know who the down judge is and what the line judge watches, you can see the game the way the crew does. You will also appreciate the precision required at the snap, the discipline it takes to let clean plays run, and the courage it takes to throw a flag in front of a full stadium and a national audience.

Knowing that three women now share that responsibility is part of the modern NFL story. It reflects a league that grades performance and, step by step, has opened doors to more people who can do the job well.

A balanced, bottom-line summary

So, how many female referees are in the NFL? If you mean “referee” in the league’s technical sense—the white-hat crew chief—the current answer is zero. If you mean “referee” in the everyday sense—any on-field official—the answer is three, and their names are Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo. That figure is the highest it has been, and it represents years of work by the officials themselves and by the people who trained, evaluated, and promoted them.

From Shannon Eastin’s first steps on an NFL field to Sarah Thomas’s Super Bowl assignment to the ongoing contributions of Maia Chaka and Robin DeLorenzo, the arc is clear. The pipeline is growing, the opportunities are real, and the game is better when the best officials—whoever they are—earn the right to work on Sundays.

Conclusion

The conversation about female referees in the NFL becomes much clearer once you separate the strict meaning of “referee” from the general idea of “official.” Today, there are three women on NFL fields as on-field officials, and none has yet served as the league’s white-hat referee in a regular-season game. That is the accurate snapshot. It is also only one frame in a longer story of steady progress. More women are coming through the officiating ranks in high school, college, and spring leagues. More have taken on replay roles and specialized responsibilities. The road to the first female referee is not short, but it is now visible, and each season brings it closer to reality.

If you are a fan, keep an eye on the sidelines and the line of scrimmage. If you are an aspiring official, take heart from the paths that Sarah Thomas, Maia Chaka, and Robin DeLorenzo have walked. And if you are simply curious about the state of the game, remember the simple, accurate answer: three women currently serve as on-field NFL officials, and the first woman to wear the white hat is likely a matter of when, not if.