NFL Hires First Female Ref; Jaguars' Sen'Derrick Marks Calls It 'Great Publicity'

The NFL recently hired its first female referee, Sarah Thomas, although some speculate that the move might be leaning more towards gaining publicity, instead of basic talent.

TMZ reported that Sen'Derrick Marks, lineman of the Jacksonville Jaguars, called Thomas' hiring "great publicity."

Mark said, "For women, it's great. Ain't nothing wrong with it, especially as long as she knows what she's doing."

He added, "It's just like the Michael Sam situation - if he wasn't gay, he would've gone undrafted. Instead the league drafts him because I think they are trying to monopolize on every aspect of the world... the same thing with hiring a female ref."

He continued, "For the league it's great publicity. The NFL is all about monopolizing every opportunity. I hope it works out for her."

USA Today reported that Thomas worked preseason games and served as a line judge at the New Orleans Saints minicamp. The NFL will be announcing the hiring of seven new officials for the 2015 NFL season. Thomas is 41 years old and a mother of three.

She said about her recent hiring, "If I am there permanently next year as a full-time official it would just be tremendous. I've always said as far as breaking the gender barrier, you never set out to do that.''

New York Post reported that there are inconsistencies in Marks' statements regarding Michael Sam's drafting to be a publicity move. This is because Sam, the first openly gay player drafted by the NFL, failed to make the cut and performed poorly at the veterans combine. Sam is currently doing better participating at "Dancing with the Stars", but stated that he aims to play professional football in 2015, even if he had to play outside the NFL.

Mark made it clear that he had no qualms about the NFL hiring female officials, but merely wanted to ensure that Thomas was hired for the right reasons.

CBS Sports reported that if anyone should be insulted by Marks' comments, Sam might be the guy. Marks made it clear that he believes that Sam does not have the talent to become part of the NFL. Marks believed that Sam was only drafted because he is gay.

Sam was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams. He was the 249th player out of 256 overall picks. The fact that Sam performed worse at the veterans combine compared to his rookie year in 2014 strengthens Marks' claim that the NFL is better off without him.