How did you start officiating games?
I started off in 8th grade. Basketball officiating was part of physical education in D.C. Public Schools at the time. When I went to high school, I was the team manager and official team scorekeeper. When I went into military service in Louisiana, I officiated some local high school basketball games. They talked me into football officiating. So I started in football at age 18, and I've been doing it ever since.
What is the typical path of an NFL Official?
First off, mine was unusual starting at the high school level. Most people start out at the youth level with Boys and Girls Clubs, Pop Warner, or the like. Then they move on to junior high school and then high school. Then you make the jump to college and if you are lucky enough, you might get to try out for the NFL. Also, with the creation of the two arena leagues and NFL Europe, the NFL has instituted a new way for officials to get to the top of the mountain and get a chance at the NFL.
What advice would you give someone looking to become an elite-level official?
Don't apply to advanced levels until you are sure you are ready. If you do, it can be undermining. Once they look at you and you aren't ready, that first impression sticks with them. When you are ready, Arena Football League 2 provides an excellent opportunity to be seen, as well as college. When you are ready, request an application from the NFL. Then send them your college schedule and they come to games and evaluate you. Of course, if you are working in Arena Football 1 or 2, they are always watching and evaluating you.
What do you enjoy most about officiating?
For me, I enjoy the challenge of trying to make the right call on every play. The average football play lasts seven seconds. For those seven seconds, I have to give my full attention and make the right call.
How do you stay in shape?
For the last two years, I have been aqua jogging - jogging in water. They built a new sports complex next to FedEx Field with excellent facilities. I took a water aerobics course to learn how to do it. So now I put on a floatation device and jog for 40 to 45 minutes a day, two to three times a week. Your feet don't touch the bottom of the pool. It works your arms, hands, legs, and heart. Most importantly, it really saves your knees.
What is your biggest challenge as an NFL referee?
My biggest challenge is being ready for work every week - for every play. You can't relax. When you do, you get burned.
What advice would you give a youth league recruiting officials?
From what I understand, there is a real shortage of officials in the U.S. I'd be sure to tell potential officials it's not a popularity contest. You must be ready for criticism on every play. Even when you make the right call, you are going to make 50 percent of the people mad. So you're never right in everyone's mind.
Tell us about your job with MEAC.
I'm in my sixth year as Supervisor of Football Officials for MEAC. I'm actually training the guys who want to take my job in the NFL. I know I can't do this forever. We hold a preseason training camp in which all MEAC applicants are invited to camp. Seven NFL officials come in to help me evaluate them working football scrimmages. They each recommend the top three in each position, and they become my officials for the football season.
Any final thoughts you want to share?
I think now that we have the first female official in Division I with Annice Canady, it's not a closed shop anymore. She's been accepted well by coaches, athletic directors, and other officials.
