With the NFL set to hire its first full-time, non-lockout-replacement female official, Jaguars defensive tackle Sen’Derrick Marks wonders whether the move is more about publicity than it is about ensuring that the best officials are hired to work NFL games.

 

“It’s just like the Michael Sam situation — if he wasn’t gay, he would have gone undrafted,’’ Marks told TMZ, via Vito Stellino of the Florida Times Union. “Instead, the league drafts him because I think they are trying to monopolize every aspect of the world. The same thing with a female ref. For the league, it’s great publicity. The NFL is all about monopolizing every opportunity.’’

 

Marks has no problem with the hire, assuming that Sarah Thomas deserves the position.

 

“Ain’t nothing wrong with it, especially as long as she knows what she’s doing,” Marks said.

 

Sen?Derrick Marks questions NFL?s motives in hiring female official | ProFootballTalk

Even NFL players question the League's motives.

I think he may be correct, if someone could prove it's PR related (and we all do). However, not sure you'll ever be able to prove she didn't deserve a chance. She has a strong resume and appears to be a good official.

I think he may be correct, if someone could prove it's PR related (and we all do). However, not sure you'll ever be able to prove she didn't deserve a chance. She has a strong resume and appears to be a good official.

 

That is the problem the NFL has, no one trusts them and it is a shame in cases like this.

You're exactly right and Goodell needs to answer for that. It would be easy to come out with a ranking system for officials and show she did/did not earn that job. After all, aren't officials members of a union as well?

You're exactly right and Goodell needs to answer for that. It would be easy to come out with a ranking system for officials and show she did/did not earn that job. After all, aren't officials members of a union as well?

 

Exactly!

 

Real progress would be transparency and honesty from the NFL. If the NFL had credibility and was interested in being righteous they would demonstrate to us in no uncertain terms what a deserving official Sarah Thomas is to join the NFL. Instead, we are left with the impression the NFL is corrupt and this is just the latest move in their agenda to make money.

I posted the link in the thread about the female official earlier. Everyone but UKMF thinks the questionable circumstance is "valid".

At some point the owners will grow tired of Goodell and will begin a search for a new commissioner behind the scenes while they prepare for his 'retirement'.

I posted the link in the thread about the female official earlier. Everyone but UKMF thinks the questionable circumstance is "valid".

 

I am a little confused on UKMF?

I am a little confused on UKMF?

 

I expressed my doubt that the league didn't have an ulterior motive behind her hire. He disagreed. In the original thread about the female official.

I expressed my doubt that the league didn't have an ulterior motive behind her hire. He disagreed. In the original thread about the female official.

 

So we all question the move and UKMF thinks there is no funny business?

So we all question the move and UKMF thinks there is no funny business?

In a nutshell, yes.

In a nutshell, yes.

 

He might be right but with the NFL's track record I ain't buying.

He might be right but with the NFL's track record I ain't buying.

Same

So this guy is claiming that the NFL drafted Sam as a publicity stunt?