Ex-Female Ref Sues NFL For ‘Gender Discrimination’ — The Allegations Are Almost Laughable

(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Former female referee Robin DeLorenzo is suing the NFL over an alleged pattern of “discrimination, humiliation, and retaliation,” but some of the allegations seem downright silly.

DeLorenzo, who worked as a ref in the league for three years before she was relegated to college conferences in 2024, is also suing former senior vice president of officiating Walt Anderson and former officiating trainer and coach Byron Boston. (RELATED: History: First Female MLB Umpire Horrifically Blows Her First Strike Call)

“Season one really set the stage for what was to come, and that’s kind of the theme here,” DiMercurio said in a statement. “This idea of diversity, equity, and inclusion, you see it in the introductory paragraph [of the complaint], that the NFL holds itself out as being that, and Robin’s case, I think, tells a different story.”

ARLINGTON, TEXAS – DECEMBER 11: Game officials Robin DeLorenzo(L) and Allen Baynes talk in the first half of a game between the Houston Texans and the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium on December 11, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)

The league fired back, saying they will “vigorously defend” themselves in court. They also cited DeLorenzo’s “underperformance” as a ref.

“The NFL is committed to providing a fair and supportive environment for all of its game officials. Ms. DeLorenzo was terminated following three seasons of documented underperformance. The allegations in this lawsuit are baseless, and we will vigorously defend against them in court,” they said in a statement.

According to the complaint, Anderson repeatedly told DeLorenzo to wear her hair in a ponytail. DeLorenzo also alleges that, unlike male officials, she had to purchase and modify her own ref uniforms and gear because the NFL did not give her uniforms that fit correctly.

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 13: Down judge Robin DeLorenzo #134 talks to head coach Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns on the field during the second quarter of the game between Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on November 13, 2022, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

There was also an alleged rookie “hazing” incident at the Steelers training camp. DeLorenzo was allegedly forced to sing for players and her crew, a fun little ritual similar to one Coach Mike Tomlin noted for rookie players. Anderson allegedly recorded a part of the performance against her wishes, but he later deleted the footage at her request, the complaint notes.

Furthermore, John Hussey, who was DeLorenzo’s crew chief during her first year, allegedly told her, “Who do you think you are? You are to listen to your boss. … Are you crazy?” after she raised concerns over the hair-in-ponytail policy.

Make of this what you will. But often, people get fired not because of their gender, race, or sexual orientation, but simply because they are not great at their jobs. DeLorenzo and two other refs were apparently involved in some pretty atrocious decisions that angered fans so much that the league had no choice but to take disciplinary action. Even a former NFL lineman praised their demotions, saying it was “really good news” for the game.

Something tells me that if DeLorenzo were a stellar ref with an impeccable record and made only one or two slight hiccups, she would still be reffing games come next fall. Her hair would probably be in a ponytail, too.

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