University Of Mobile: Sarah Thomas To UM Grads: ‘Prove To Yourself That You Belong'

Press release from the University of Mobile:

Kathy Dean

May 10, 2021

MOBILE, Ala. –

The Christian university awarded the Doctor of Humane Letters to Thomas during an outdoor ceremony held on campus May 8. Degrees were awarded to 265 graduates, including the first doctoral degrees from the new Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Musical Arts in vocal performance programs.

Dr. Thomas graduated from the University of Mobile in 1995, having earned a basketball scholarship and Academic All-American honors. She began her football officiating career in 1996 when she attended a meeting for aspiring football officials with her brother. She became the first full-time female official in NFL history in 2015, and on Feb. 7, 2021, she became the first female to officiate a Super Bowl, serving as down judge for Super Bowl LV.

“I want to share a few things that I’ve learned after leaving the University of Mobile that have truly helped me to become the first female in the National Football League. But I don’t hide behind that title, it does not identify who I am,” Thomas said.

So many people get wrapped up in titles, she said, but graduates shouldn’t go through life trying to do things for the recognition.

“Do not go out in life trying to prove people wrong. That list of people will never end. It will exhaust you. Instead, you prove to yourself that you belong,” Thomas said.

“Go out and do something because you love it. The recognition will come. People will see it in you. The people you thought you had to prove wrong, they will fall by the wayside. Or, they will get in line and start respecting you on your merit.”

As she began her address, Thomas noted that UM President Lonnie Burnett told her she would have about 15 minutes to speak, “but no one would boo me if I cut it short. I think he failed to remember that I’m an NFL official. We get booed in a split second.”

As the audience laughed, she asked football fans to raise their hands and repeat after her: “I promise…from this day forward…I will no longer…boo the officials.”

Thomas congratulated and challenged graduates.

“What you did to be able to sit in that chair today is a huge accomplishment. But what you do with that accomplishment when you get out of that chair today will matter.”

This press release was produced by the University of Mobile. The views expressed here are the author’s own.