She Was One of Three. Now She's Fighting Back Against the NFL Machine.
Robin DeLorenzo was living the dream. One of the first three women to ever officiate an NFL game, she had clawed her way to the pinnacle of her profession. Then, according to a lawsuit filed Friday in Manhattan federal court, the dream became a nightmare of gender-based humiliation that no official should have to endure.
DeLorenzo is suing the NFL for reinstatement and unspecified damages, alleging she spent three years from 2022 to 2025 trapped in a sexist institution that treated her as anything but an equal. The lawsuit paints a picture of relentless gender-based scrutiny, public humiliation, and open hostility. The NFL fired back hard, with spokesperson Brian McCarthy claiming DeLorenzo was terminated after three seasons of documented underperformance and calling the allegations baseless. "We will vigorously defend against them in court," McCarthy said.
From Magical Moment to Reality Check
Back in 2023, DeLorenzo told NFL.com about the moment everything changed for her. The longtime New Jersey resident had worked her way up through high school and college officiating, pushing through the ranks until the NFL's senior vice president of officiating arranged something unforgettable: her father got to deliver the news that she had made it to the league.
"Once he gave me the news, my dad and I just stared at each other crying for about five minutes," she said. "It was the most magical night."
But according to the lawsuit, the magic evaporated the moment she reported to work.
The Small Indignities That Add Up
The lawsuit details a pattern of disrespect that started almost immediately. She was sent man-sized clothing to wear and instructed to let her ponytail show out the back of her hat, apparently to make it crystal clear a woman was on the field. Repeated references to her hair in the workplace eventually made her want to cut it off entirely, the suit claims.
Things got worse. The lawsuit alleges that an NFL officials crew chief told then-Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin during training camp that she should be made to sing in front of others, a detail that reveals the contempt she faced even from within the officiating ranks.
The NFL Referees Association hasn't yet responded to requests for comment on the case.
This lawsuit puts a spotlight on whether the league that employs referees across the Pacific Northwest and beyond can truly foster equality among its officials. We'll be watching how this plays out.
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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.