NFL
NFL: Valenti named first female instant replay official
Terri Valenti will become the first woman to serve as an NFL instant video replay official, the league announced on Thursday.
Terri Valenti will become the first woman to serve as an NFL instant video replay official, the league announced on Thursday.
She has worked in the NFL instant replay department for the past five seasons, serving as an instant replay communicator from 2012-15 and a replay assistant in 2016.
Valenti's new role makes her the second female official hired by the NFL overall in three years hired, joining game official Sarah Thomas.
Valenti will be responsible for initiating replays inside the final two minutes, when coaches are unable to issue challenges.
She will also aid in reviewing other in-game replays.
Valenti was the first woman to officiate a professional American football game, doing so with the now-defunct United Football League in 2009.
Valenti was also the Arena Football League 2015 Official of the Year.
The NFL said all 17 referees from last year's offciating lineup will return for the 2017 season.