HBCU Legends

First All-Black Crew Officiates Field, Replay At NFL Game

For the first time in history, an all-black on-field and replay crew officiated an NFL game.

Kyle T. Mosley

For the first time in history, an all-black on-field and replay crew officiated an NFL game. Referee Ronald Torbert and his team marked the first occurrence when one woman was on the field while two were in the replay booth. The all-black female officials were Maia Chaka (line judge), Artenzia Young-Seigler (replay official), and Desiree Abrams (replay assistant).

HBCU Legend Doug Williams 'Elated' for Maia Chaka's Opportunity as First-Black Female NFL

Historic All-Black Crew Officiates NFL Game
Historic All-Black Crew Officiates NFL Game; Credit: Amazon TNF

The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers officiating crew were:

  • Referee: Torbert, Ronald (62)
  • Line Judge: Chaka, Maia (100)
  • Down Judge: Holt, Patrick (106)
  • Side Judge: Washington, Keith (7)
  • Umpire: Anderson, Barry (20)
  • Field Judge: Jones, Nathan (33)
  • Back Judge: Yette, Greg (38)
  • Total Replay Official: Young-Seigler, Artenzia (0)
  • Assistant Replay Official: Abrams, Desiree

HBCU ALUMS

Maia Chaka is a Norfolk State alumnus who became an NFL official in 2021. She entered the NFL's Officiating Development Program in 2014 before her mentor, Wayne Mackie (Former NFL's VP of Officiating Evaluation and Development), told her of her historic hire. Mackie died at 62 in March 2022.

Artenzia Young-Seigler has an undergraduate degree from Paul Quin College and graduate degree from Tennessee State University.

Desiree Abrams has a B.S. in Animal Science and MS in Animal Science-Pre Vet from Florida A&M University.

Greg Yette obtained a Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications Management from Howard University.

"This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of Black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game," Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of Football Operations.

On Nov. 23, 2020, during the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Rams game, 17-year veteran referee Jerome Boger fielded an all-black officiating crew.

201118113300-nfl-all-black-officiating-crew
Credit: NFL

Boger's crew were Barry Anderson, umpire, 14-year NFL official; Anthony Jeffries, side judge, 3-year NFL official; Carl Johnson, line judge, 17-year NFL official; Julian Mapp, down judge, 12-year NFL official; Dale Shaw, field judge, 8-year NFL official; and Greg Steed, back judge, 18-year NFL official.

Troy Vincent noted, "This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of Black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game." 

NFL Official Maia Chaka in 'Awe' and 'Proud' Before Her First NFL Game (HBCU Alum)

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Kyle T. Mosley
KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019.  Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four.  My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances:  WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert),  KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews:  Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns.  For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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