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The NFL's first all-Black on-field and replay crew will officiate Thursday's Chargers-Raiders game

Rhiannon Walker
Contributing writer
·2 min read
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Referee Ron Torbert (62) works during an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The New York Giants defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 13-7. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
Referee Ron Torbert and his crew will make history as the first all-Black on-field and replay crew in NFL history during Week 15's Thursday Night Football game. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)

When Ron Torbert and his crew take the field Thursday, they'll make NFL history.

For the first time, an all-Black on-field and replay crew will officiate an NFL game, the league announced Thursday. In the same tweet, the NFL said it will be the first game in which three women — one on field and two in the replay booth — will be on the same crew. Maia Chaka will be the line judge, Artenzia Young-Seigler the replay official and Desiree Abrams the replay assistant.

Torbert's crew will officiate the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers game at Allegiant Stadium.

This comes three years after the first all-Black officiating crew worked an NFL game. On Nov. 23, 2020, referee Jerome Boger and his crew became the first all-Black crew when they officiated the Monday night game between the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The crew was composed of Barry Anderson (umpire), Anthony Jeffries (side judge), Carl Johnson (line judge), Julian Mapp (down judge), Dale Shaw (field judge) and Greg Steed (back judge).

“This historic Week 11 crew is a testament to the countless and immeasurable contributions of Black officials to the game, their exemplary performance, and to the power of inclusion that is the hallmark of this great game,” Troy Vincent, NFL executive vice president of Football Operations, said in a statement at the time.

When Booger was promoted in 2006, he became the third Black referee in NFL history.

In 1988, Johnny Grier made history as the NFL's first Black referee. His first year in the league, he officiated the first Super Bowl won by a Black quarterback, Doug Williams.

“I am proud of my heritage and excited about my participation in this historic game,” Boger said in a statement at the time. “The opportunity to work with a great group of Black officials and exhibit our proficiency in executing our assignment is something I am really looking forward to.”

Both the Raiders and Chargers are 5-8, and their razor-thin playoff chances hinge on a win.