NFL referee Sarah Thomas finds gym dedication 'humbling'

PASCAGOULA -- Sarah Thomas returned to the place that made her one of the greatest girls basketball players at Pascagoula High School.

The city renamed its recreational gymnasium the Sarah Bailey Thomas Gymnasium during a dedication ceremony Thursday at the Pascagoula Recreational Center. Thomas, now an NFL referee, was also given the key to the city by Mayor Jim Blevins.

Thomas, a 1991 Pascagoula High graduate, was overjoyed at the honor given before a gathering of 100 people. An hour before the ceremony, she was posing for pictures and hugging family and friends.

"I can't put this into words," she said. "It's very humbling. Pascagoula's my hometown. I'm proud my parents are here. A lot of blood, sweat and tears were spent in here. A lot of great memories. I had some great teammates. I'm really grateful."

Thomas, who lives in Brandon and also works as a pharmaceutical representative, said she didn't get negative reaction at games. She and her husband, Brian Thomas, have three children: Bridley, Bailey and Brady.

Blevins praised Thomas for her drive and determination.

"We tell high school kids you can accomplish anything you set out to do," he said. "And Sarah has done exactly that."

Thomas played her prep career in the Lady Panthers' gym. Two decades later, she became the NFL's first full-time woman referee. The NFL officially made the move in April. Thomas made her NFL regular-season debut in a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sept. 13.

"There was a lot of pressure being the first, but I didn't feel it," she said. "It's a job that was a lot of fun. I never got too high. I never got too low. I learned a lot from the referee crews I worked with. The fans were great."

"Dads wanted to take pictures with me, moms and girls asked for my autograph," Thomas said. "I never set out to be a role model."

This story was originally published March 3, 2016 at 9:29 PM with the headline "NFL referee Sarah Thomas finds gym dedication 'humbling' ."