Who is Maia Chaka? NFL lauded after naming first black female referee in league's history

Maia Chaka created history on Friday after she was anunced as a game official for upcoming NFL 2021 season. She becomes first black female NFL referee to join league's on-field officiating staff and will join Sarah Thomas as only women to officiate an NFL game. Here's all you need to kw about "Who is Maia Chaka?". 

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Maia Chaka bio: Ex PE teacher becomes first black female referee in NFL history 

During a segment on "Today" show, NFL on Friday anunced hiring of Maia Chaka to league's on-field officiating staff. In a statement released by league, Chaka said: "I am houred to be selected as an NFL official. But this moment is bigger than a personal accomplishment. It is an accomplishment for all women, my community, and my culture".  NFL has worked to diversify its officiating and its coaching ranks.

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In 2020, league celebrated its first game with an all-Black officiating crew. Also, six women were part of 14 coaching staffs that me it to playoffs last season. Troy Vincent, NFL's executive vice president of football operations, said that Maia's years of hard work, dedication and perseverance including as part of NFL Officiating Development Program have earned her a position as an NFL official and is an inspiration toward rmalizing women on football field.

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Maia Chaka has been a health and physical education teacher, working with students with unique needs at Renaissance Acemy since 2006, but things changed with COVID-19 pandemic. Chaka joins NFL after having served as an official in Pac-12 and Conference USA. In 2014, she was selected for NFL's Officiating Development Program, which identifies talented officials working in college and helps give m exposure and experiences like that of NFL officials to serve as a potential pipeline.

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Chaka has been described as consistent and reliable, but also quite, "a leer by example who inspires confidence". She has volunteered for student-staff basketball games and has participated in intramural programs and sponsored a mentorship club for girls, which was recognized at district level and has spoken to or high schools.

When talking to her students, Chaka lectures m on overcoming versity, that hard work and dedication pays off. She's a member of school's Positive Intervention Program and is in process of developing a challenge for students to demonstrate how y're being kind, showing respect and acting responsibly.

(Im Courtesy: nfl.com)