NFL Female Referee Files Lawsuit Over Gender-Based Harassment

The third woman to work as a referee in the NFL’s history has taken legal action against the league, alleging incidents of gender-based harassment and invasive scrutiny.

Robin DeLorenzo, from New Jersey, joined the NFL after a stint officiating in the Big Ten Conference, making her debut in 2022. After three years in this role, she claims to have experienced “unchecked harassment” and gender discrimination during her tenure.

In her lawsuit, DeLorenzo describes her experiences as far from satisfactory, starting with being given men’s-sized uniforms prior to her assignments.

One particularly troubling incident is reported to have taken place during a training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where officials are often called to oversee practice matches. Allegedly, a crew chief told coach Mike Tomlin that DeLorenzo would need to sing in front of everyone, claiming this was standard for new referees, akin to the experiences of rookie players.

In a rather awkward rendition, DeLorenzo ended up singing before players, male colleagues, and her supervisor. A former referee recounted the discomfort of being subjected to what he called “a humiliating performance.” To add insult to injury, DeLorenzo asserts that her supervisor recorded her despite assurances that he wouldn’t.

Beyond this incident, the lawsuit outlines further grievances, including ongoing belittlement and harassment from the crew chief, who is said to have avoided communication with her for nearly a year.

Additionally, DeLorenzo claims she was compelled to engage in what were termed “training opportunities” that ultimately involved lower-tier officials from universities.

The lawsuit brands the situation as a “male power play” aimed at undermining her confidence and significantly affecting her professional trajectory within the NFL.

In contrast, the NFL rebutted these claims. Brian McCarthy, the league’s press secretary, stated that DeLorenzo’s termination was attributed to a documented history of inadequate performance.

McCarthy described the lawsuit’s claims as baseless, affirming that the NFL intends to mount a vigorous defense in court.

DeLorenzo’s legal filings indicate she has faced “systemic inequalities,” exemplifying that the NFL allegedly subjected her to relentless harassment, denied her access to resources afforded to her male counterparts, and manipulated both her training and assessment processes, culminating in a disadvantageous career evaluation.

Recently, she was released from her NFL position and reassigned to officiating in college football alongside two male referees, all three of whom had less than three years of NFL experience.

According to the NFL, the review process for officials encompasses both in-person assessments of games and various evaluations that determine playoff officiating assignments. They noted that below-average performance during the season could result in demotion or dismissal, as league personnel operate on one-year contracts.