A Career Defined by Barriers

Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first three women to officiate an NFL game, has filed a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court against the National Football League. The legal action follows her three-year tenure with the league, which she describes as a period marked by systemic sexism and unequal treatment.

DeLorenzo, a longtime New Jersey resident, rose through the ranks of high school and college officiating before joining the NFL. In a 2023 interview with NFL.com, she described her promotion as a "magical" moment shared with her father, who had encouraged her career path.

Allegations of Harassment and Humiliation

The lawsuit details a series of indignities DeLorenzo allegedly faced starting in 2022. Upon joining the league, she claims she was provided with ill-fitting, "man-sized" clothing and pressured to wear her hair in a ponytail through her hat to ensure her gender was visible on the field. She noted that the constant focus on her appearance was so persistent it made her consider cutting her hair.

The complaint further describes a humiliating incident during a Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. According to the lawsuit, her crew chief instructed her to sing in front of players and staff—a practice typically reserved for rookie players. Despite assurances that the performance would not be recorded, she alleges her boss filmed the event.

Systemic Inequality and Retaliation

DeLorenzo’s legal filing outlines a pattern of hostility, including:

  • Repeated harassment and profanity-laced verbal abuse from her crew chief.
  • Being forced to attend a training program for lower-level college officials in 2024, a requirement not imposed on her male counterparts.
  • A total breakdown in communication with her crew chief by the end of the season.

The lawsuit characterizes the 2024 training requirement as a "male power play" designed to undermine her confidence and professional standing. It alleges that the NFL failed to provide her with the same resources offered to male officials and manipulated her performance evaluations.

Termination and Legal Demands

Following years of alleged mistreatment, DeLorenzo was fired by the NFL on February 18, 2025. The lawsuit contends that her termination was based on "tainted evaluations" created by the individuals who had previously discriminated against her.

The legal action seeks both reinstatement to her position and unspecified damages. As of the filing, the NFL and the NFL Referees Association have not provided comments regarding the allegations.