Maia Chaka Becomes First Black Female NFL Official
Norfolk State University alumnus Maia Chaka will continue her trailblazing ways in the NFL in 2021. Chaka became the first Black female to join the ranks of NFL officiating.
Oct 1, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; NCAA female official, head linesman Maia Chaka, signals a second down play in the game between the Marshall Thundering Herd and the Pittsburgh Panthers at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
PIONEER
In 2014, Chaka entered the NFL's Officiating Development Program. The program's importance is to identify top collegiate officiating talent and expose them to the same experiences as NFL officials. The evaluation period allows the prospects to be mentored and allowed to succeed as an NFL official.
Her mentor, Wayne Mackie, delivered the great news to Chaka on Monday evening. Mackie is the VP of Officiating Evaluation and Development for the NFL. Chaka reflected on Mackie's call, "I thought he was just calling to give me some advice on something else or to look at some film. I wasn’t expecting to get a call to be hired.”
Chaka's ascent to the NFL roster of game officials for the 2021 season has been a result of hours of preparation, hard work, and dedication to her craft.
In her statement regarding her promotion, Chaka considered the achievement as something greater than herself. "I am honored to be selected as an NFL official. But this moment is bigger than a personal accomplishment. It is an accomplishment for all women, my community, and my culture," said Chaka.
Oct 20, 2018; Hattiesburg, MS, USA; UTSA Roadrunners head coach Frank Wilson (left) talks to head linesman Maia Chaka in the second half against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles at M. M. Roberts Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
NFL STATEMENT
Troy Vincent, Sr. was a former player and currently serves as the NFL Executive Vice President of Football Operations. Vincent shared, "Maia's 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 continued, "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."
CHAKA'S CAREER
Chaka enters the NFL after an outstanding collegiate officiating career, including stints in the Pac-12 Conference and Conference USA.
A health and physical education teacher in the Virginia Beach public school system, Chaka has been dedicated to improving children's lives throughout her professional career.
Maia Chaka is a Norfolk State University graduate, where she earned her Bachelor's in Education in 2006.
PROGRESS IN THE NFL?
Burl Toler was the first Black male hired to officiate NFL games in 1965. In 2015, the NFL elevated Sarah Thomas as the first woman to its officiating ranks. Thomas was a member of the Super Bowl 55 officials in Tampa Bay. Also, the NFL had an all-Black officiating crew in 2020. Jerome Boger, a 17-year NFL official, headed the crew.