Six years ago Sarah Thomas made history when she became the first female to join an officiating team in the NFL.

When two of the four remaining teams – Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – take the field on February 7 at Raymond James Stadium for Super Bowl LV, Thomas again will be making history when she joins the “zebra crew”.

Thomas has been named the down judge for Super Bowl LV.

NFL executive vice president Troy Vincent Sr spoke on Thomas and her historic assignment saying, “her elite performance and commitment to excellence has earned her the right to officiate the Super Bowl. Congratulations to Sarah on this well-deserved honor.”

Long time NFL referee Carl Cheffers will lead the seven person crew.  An officiating crew member for 21 seasons, Cheffers will be working his second Super Bowl.

Umpire Fred Bryan, line judge Rusty Baynes, field judge James Coleman, side judge Eugene Hall, and back judge Dino Paganelli fill out the on the field crew.  Mike Wimmer will serve as the replay official in the press box.

The veteran crew has a total of 88 years of NFL officiating experience and a total of 77 playoff games combined.

This is the first Super Bowl for Sarah Thomas and James Coleman; while the remaining crew members have appeared in a previous Super Bowl.

Speaking on the officiating crew Troy Vincent said, “their body of work over the course of a 17-game season has earned them the honor of officiating the biggest game on the world’s biggest stage.  They are the best of the best.”