"What is even better than breaking that barrier is being able to have the love and support of your community and the people who look like you because that is more important than any other brand that you could possibly have," she told a hyped crowd. And just that constant exposure of being around it and being around other veteran officials. Hours afterthe NFL announced her hiring on Friday, afellow teacher sent her screen shots of social media activity. Maia Chaka 1981/1982 (age 40-41)) [1] is an official in the National Football League, wearing uniform number 100. In dealing withstudents, her approach is built on tailoring lessons and communication, depending onspecific circumstances and people. Chaka had been a teacher for public schools with Virginia Beach for over ten years but before that she taught physical education and health at Renaissance Academy. Line Judge Maia Chaka during a game between LA Wildcats and Tampa Bay Vipers at Dignity Health Sports Park during an XFL game, March 8, 2020, in Carson, Calif. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Who will miss Dan Snyder? By 2009, she officiated the Virginia State High School Championship Game hosted in Charlottesville, Virginia at UVA Scott Stadium on the campus of the University of Virginia. Since 2014, Chaka has participated in the NFLs Officiating Development Program, in which the league works with college football officials to determine whether they have the ability to succeed in the professional ranks. "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 said in the statement. Chaka told Today that she learned of her appointment Monday during a call with Wayne Mackie, the NFLs vice president of officiating evaluation and development. She won't be alone in her jubilation in the upcoming moment. But I have a love and passion for, and hopefully that just gives someone else some inspiration and empowers them to step outside the box and do something different. Chaka and Thomas made history together for Conference USA as two female officials on the same crew for the 2013Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco. The NFL made the. 2023 Rules Changes and Points of Clarification, Summits showcase pipeline for minority coaches, GMs, Their Causes, Their Impact: Player-Led Initiatives a Multiplying Force for Good. Mailbag: What are Panthers pass rushing options? And so my sideline partner used to get an earful, because coaches didnt want to offend me or say the wrong thing. While Chaka can't wait to get to work, here's what you should know about her: Chaka, a 2006 graduate of Norfolk State University,is a high school health and physical education teacher at the Renaissance Academy, part of the public school system in Virginia Beach. Her most recent assignment in that capacity was at an all-star game for NFL scouts, the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 30. Never mind that the league didnt enlist its first full-time female official until Thomas broke the barrier in 2015, and women officials were (and still are) a rarity on thecollege level. All rights reserved. He repeated a couple of times that she had to be the "one" because of her preparation, commitment, and intelligence. History is always great isnt it? Andsince 2014, Chaka participatedin the NFLs developmental program for officials, which involvedclinics, working team practices at OTAs and mini-camps, college all-star game assignments, preseason games and evaluations from NFL supervisors. You know some inspiration and empowers them to step outside the box and do something different. Maia Chaka's Birthday, Family, Nationality, & Education. Please logout and login again. She said she couldn't believe the good news. Who is Maia Chaka, the newest female NFL referee? "This historic moment to me is an honor and it's a privilege that I've been chosen to. "When I step on the field for the first time as an NFL official its going to be a proud moment.Maia Chaka reflects ahead of her first @NFL regular season game: pic.twitter.com/PyHgLk7PQf. "She's shown progress at every level. "I wasn't able to reach my full potential when I was in high school. Expanded coverage of Carolinas Week 1 victory. The Super Bowl MVP said he's "elated" for her accomplishment. Control what you can control. Her refereeing journey reportedly started when she was a referee for several high school games in Hampton Roads before slowly making her way up the football ladder to then officiate college football games in Conference USA and the Pac-12. 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He goes, Welcome to the National Football League, and I just went nuts, Chaka said. Line judge Maia Chaka arrives for a an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the New York Jets Sunday, Sept. 12, in Charlotte, N.C. (Jacob Kupferman/AP) Chaka, 38, grew up in. 1, you see somebody that you engage with every day make it to the highest level, Chaka, 38, told USA TODAY Sports. It's a proud moment for myself. 3 min read Maia Chaka will be the first Black woman to work as an NFL referee when she takes the field in her new role this fall. Referee Maia Chaka officiates while the Salt Lake Stallions and the San Diego Fleet play in the Alliance of American Football game at SDCCU Stadium, March 9, 2019, in San Diego, Calif. Maia Chaka has become the first Black woman official in NFL history. 2 Maia Chaka becomes first black female official in the NFL Credit: Getty Images Who is Maia Chaka? [2] [3] The native of Rochester, New York [4] became the league's third female on-field official after Shannon Eastin and Sarah Thomas . I've just been grinding for so long at this, it's just an honor to be able to join the National Football League.". The news came the day after Black History Month ended and as Womens History Month was beginning. She also officiated games last year in the XFL. "We are so very proud of Maia . Caps continue to dominate list of longest-tenured D.C. pro athletes, in 2015 became the NFLs first female official, issue a subpoena to compel the testimony of Commanders owner Daniel Snyder, according to legal correspondence obtained by The Post, reached settlement agreements in 20 of the 24 active civil lawsuits. Referee Maia Chaka during the second preseason game for the Ravens in Philadelphia. When she was 32 in the summer of 2014, she was one of 21 referees chosenfor the NFL's Officiating Development Program. The focus was on uplifting community and observing mental health awareness. I got it just the honest way of keeping your nose down and grinding and working for it.. She continued, "Proving that I can defy the odds and overcome and in pretty much master the craft of a sport that I didn't really play, but I have a love and a passion for. These NBA players rejected HUGE contracts and fumbled the bag! My advocate came from someone who looks nothing like me.". Chaka, 39, entered Sunday with an impressive resume: She earned her bachelors in education in 2006 from historically Black university Norfolk State University before beginning her teaching and officiating careers, according to a release from the NFL. NFL Football Operations mission is to establish a culture of clarity, consistency and credibility in all aspects of the greatest game. BUFFALO, N.Y. Maia Chaka spent Saturday afternoon in Niagara Falls talking about life and sports. I can't wait to see how that really feels.". In 2019, Chaka began officiating NCAA Division I women's basketball. But the main thing is to always be calm. Chaka never wanted to teach at a traditional school and chose an alternativeeducation path for a reason. That was my favorite teacher. Or,She changed my life, those are thethings that I work for, Chaka said. BUFFALO, N.Y. Maia Chaka spent Saturday afternoon in Niagara Falls talking about life and sports. (Karl Merton Ferron / Baltimore Sun). The NFL named Maia Chaka a game official, making her the first Black woman in the league's 100-year history to take on this role. The community wellness festival for youth and families attracted many young people. She wasdetermined to reach thehighest level, too, despite getting passed over multiple times in recent years as NFL jobs opened. She is an NFL official and history-maker in the league. She admits that looking up at the numerous Super Bowl banners proudly hanging in Gillette Stadium was surreal, but once play began, it was just another game. To entertain the crowd, she intertwined her love of hip-hop with her presentation. This article was published more than2 years ago. NFL history was made at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Sunday and it wasnt by someone wearing a jersey. pic.twitter.com/snZ3tdUZJc. The announcement was made exclusively on NBC's "The TODAY Show"on Friday morning. Its realimportant that they have representation right there in front of them. Once you get to the field, its nothing to put out disagreements between players, coaches or whatever.. Meet Maia Chaka, the first Black woman ever named to the NFL's officiating staff Lorenzo Reyes USA TODAY 0:00 1:13 Maia Chaka has been a health and physical education teacher, working with. Thomas, who. Chaka said she owes the opportunity to working hard and helping others work hard. She then began officiating college football, including games in the Pac-12 and Conference USA. Chaka worked as a line judge for the Jets-Panthers game. Thomas did a great job last year, and is currently paving the way for Chaka to be successful. She is the first Black woman hired by the NFL as an on-field official. Maia Chaka, who joins Super Bowl 55 down judge Sarah Thomas, will make history in her own right as the first Black woman to officiate games in the league. Renaissance Academy and similar schools meet the needs of students who are not succeeding in a traditional setting, typicallywith behavioral and academic challenges requiring more personalized support. In 2014, Chaka and Thomas were selected for the NFLs Officiating Development Program, which identifies top collegiate officiating talent to expose them to some of the same experiences as NFL officials, working to determine if they have the ability to succeed in the top football league. Before enrolling at Norfolk State, sheplayedbasketball at Finger Lakes Community College in upstate New York, near her hometown of Rochester. Sometimes we just don't take time to stop and smell our own roses. The league made the announcement on Friday. When Chaka mentions that conflict-resolution skills area huge, huge deal, shesreferring to both roles. Trevor Booth 3 min read Maia Chaka has made history as the first Black woman to ever officiate an NFL game. I think the best teachers, the best leaders, are needed in this type of environment.. She passed the audition. In 2014, Chaka was selected for the NFLs Officiating Development Program, which identifies top collegiate officiating talent to expose them to some of the same experiences as NFL officials, working to determine if they have the ability to succeed as an NFL official. Maia Chaka became the first Black woman to referee an NFL game on Sunday afternoon when she served as a line judge in the Carolina Panthers season opener with the New York Jets. Troy Vincent, an African American and the NFL's second-in-command behind Commissioner Roger Goodell, celebrated Chaka's appointment. At the time, then-NFL vice president of officiating Dean Blandino heaped high praise onChaka, saying she had a "great understanding of the game." Growing up in Rochester, New York, Maia Chaka played pretty much every sport under the sun except football. I was proud for her and her moment, Chaka said about Thomas working in the Super Bowl. Theyreafraid to step outside their comfort zone.". It is an accomplishment for all women, my community, and my culture.". Sports NFL's First All-Black Crew Officiated 'Monday Night Football' Game The Undefeated reports that Chaka has the words "hustle, grind, conquer, dominate" on a wall in her office, and that. Renaissance has been her first and only stop. [5] Chaka began her career in education as a health and physical education teacher at Virginia Beach Central Academy in 2006 which later became Renaissance Academy. I also want them to know that its OKto step outside the box and work with people who are a little different from you. This historic moment to me is an honor and its a privilege that Ive been chosen to represent women and women of color in the most popular sport in America, proving that I can defy the odds and overcome and pretty much master a craft of a sport that I didnt really play, Chaka said. In 2020, Lori Locus and Maral Javadifar, who are women, were added to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers coaching staff, and the same year, Sarah Thomas became the first woman to officiate a Super Bowl. As we celebrate Womens History Month, Maia is a trailblazer as the first Black female official and inspires us toward normalizing women on the football field., I just never thought the day would come.Virginia teacher Maia Chaka joins us to talk about making @NFL history by being named the leagues first Black female official. ( @NFL) pic.twitter.com/hhA1rZd6jE. Chaka was glowing when speaking about the importance of taking the field as an official this opening weekend. She is the NFL's first black woman employed as an on-field official. Chaka has been a football official since 2006, when she began her career at the high school level. Lifelong Panthers fan goes from rooting for Steve Smith to playing for US womens team, NBA Draft: Hornets trade two second-round picks to Celtics, land center James Nnaji. During the same year she began as a full-time teacher, right out of college in 2006, shewas interested in becoming a basketball referee. Go out there, be confident and own your position." In 2014, Chaka got her first NFL experience as back judge for a preseason game between the New England Patriots. Maia Chaka, who joins Super Bowl 55 down judge Sarah Thomas, will make history in her own right as the first Black woman to officiate games in the league. We welcome Maia Chaka to the 2021 roster of game officials! When she began officiating in Conference USA, she sensed that coaches known on every level for blasting officials with sometimesloud, salty languagewerehesitant to dispute close calls she was involved in. MORE: How much are Super Bowl officials paid? Maia Chaka will become the first Black female on-field official in NFL history, the league announced on Friday. Norfolk State University alum Maia Chaka and the NFL posted a video regarding officiating her first NFL regular-season game. When I saw the introduction, Im like, This is really real, because this is just something that were just always taught to work hard for. She spent several seasons as a member of the developmental officiating program before her promotion in March. I was like,OK, when is itgoing to be my turn? ", When I finally stoppedthinking about when my turn was coming, itbecame my turn, she said. [1] She graduated from Norfolk State University in 2006. Maia Chaka Sarah Thomas NFL Official 2015 - Present On April 8, 2015, Sarah Thomas achieved her football dream by becoming the first woman to officiate full time in the NFL. Youve got to be kidding me, because Ive been at it for so long, I just never thought the day would come., Scores | Stats | Standings | Teams | Transactions | Washington Commanders. NEWS 'I thought I was being punked.' Rochester native Maia Chaka is NFL's first Black female referee Robert Bell Rochester Democrat and Chronicle 0:00 1:25 On March 5, history was made when. Vinnie Iyer is an NFL writer at The Sporting News. [1] Chaka served as an official for the 2013 Fight Hunger Bowl, along with Thomas. Chaka said on the official NFL. as the first Black woman tapped as an NFL game official, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. How the Hiring Came About Maia Chaka's incredible journey: From Virginia Beach teacher to first black female NFL referee. Its a proud moment for my community and my students and my co-workers.. A graduate of Norfolk State University, Chaka was a teacher at Virginia Beach and now is a fully fledged NFL referee. I asked him: Hey, are you punking me? THE NFL has named Maia Chaka its first ever black female official, the league announced March 5, 2021 on the TODAY show. In the 2020/2021 Pac-12 season, Chaka was the head linesman, including at the 2021 Senior Bowl. In 2021, Chaka founded the nonprofit Make Meaningful Change (MMC). She feels shes put in the work to get there. In the wake of Jerome Boger's retirement at the end of last season, Carl . In 2014, Chaka and Thomas were selected for the NFLs Officiating Development Program, started her officiating career working high school games in Hampton Roads, Porter County Council stalls out on pay increase for highway garage mechanics, Watch live: President Joe Biden to speak in Chicago, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Yet when she mentioned the hoops idea to Shawn McMahon, a colleague whoofficiated high school football games, he urged her to try football and pointed out that thetraining classes came before the basketballsessions. It was basically a job interview or an audition, she said. Tonight at 11, Maia Chaka, the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game, speaks in WNY @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/Z8WhFOzZ7F, "Whenever you're trying to get anywhere in life, you need to have somebody who is going to be your ride or die, literally, somebody who is always going to advocate for you and put you in a good position. A graduate of Norfolk State University, Chaka was a teacher at Virginia Beach and now is a fully fledged NFL referee. She went from working high school games to Conference USA to the Pac-12 Conference. Meet Maia Chaka, the NFL's first Black female official for 2021 season, who joins Super Bowl 55 down judge Sarah Thomas. But this moment is bigger than a personal accomplishment. Madison Fulford spent her Sundays rooting for the Carolina Panthers as a child. This website stores data such as cookies to enable essential site functionality, as well as marketing, personalization, and analytics.
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