NFL Officiates Rochester Native Maia Chaka
Written by Atu on March 8, 2021
Once again, the notably hardworking Maia Chaka has made history. Just seven years ago, she was one of only two females selected for the NFL Officiating Development Program. On March 5, 2021, NBC announced on the TODAY show that she became the first Black woman to become an NFL official.
Chaka, originally from Rochester, New York, has since made Virginia her home where has been a college referee and a physical education teacher who is very passionate about her work. We previously mentioned her when she was working preseason games as part of the program she was in.
On the show, Maia sets up the surprise announcement she received. It was on March 1st, her mentor Wayne Mackie, who is vice president of officiating evaluation and had been an NFL official for ten years, calls and expresses to her to get prepared for an upcoming meeting, then adds, “You have a lot of work ahead of you. Welcome to the National Football League!”
Congratulations to the homegirl Maia Chaka⚡Ya always sharp!
