By Tom Withers | Associated Press

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Sarah Thomas starts the day at her second job by tucking her long blond hair inside her cap, so she doesn't get noticed.

On a football field, that's impossible.

Thomas doesn't consider herself a pioneer, just "one of the guys." But as one of two female officials in the NFL's officiating development program, Thomas has a chance to break barriers in a male-dominated profession.

This week, Thomas, a former college basketball player, current college official and mother of three whose full-time job is as pharmaceutical sales representative, worked with a crew of officials during Browns mini-camp. Like the players, she worked on improving her skills and honing her craft.

One day, she hopes to be on the field with the pros. But not because of her gender.

"I am a female, but I don't look at myself as just a female," she said. "I look at myself as an official."

Thomas began her officiating career in 1996, when an NFL scout spotted her working a high school game. From there, she joined Conference USA and was invited to join the NFL's developmental program, now in its second year. Thomas worked some training camps and preseason games last season.

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