The NFL on Wednesday confirmed that Sarah Thomas will become the first full-time female official in the league's history. Reports last week suggested the NFL would make Thomas — a 19-year veteran who broke the NCAA's gender barrier in 2007 — the first on-field female official, though the league declined to comment at the time. Thomas worked preseason NFL games this year, and will start off as a line judge with the opportunity to advance up the refereeing ranks.
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