Robin DeLorenzo, who made history as one of only three women to serve as a game official in the National Football League, filed a federal lawsuit against the league and two former senior officials on March 27, 2026. The complaint, lodged in the Southern District of New York, alleges gender discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, seeking reinstatement and unspecified financial damages after DeLorenzo's termination on February 18, 2025.
DeLorenzo's journey to the NFL spanned over two decades, during which she steadily climbed the officiating ranks. She officially joined the NFL in April 2022, a significant milestone in a historically male-dominated profession. However, according to the lawsuit, DeLorenzo v. National Football League et al. (case number 1:26-cv-02546), the challenges began almost immediately upon her arrival. The complaint names former Senior Vice President of Officiating Walter Anderson and former official and assigned trainer Byron Boston as co-defendants alongside the NFL.
The lawsuit outlines twelve separate causes of action, citing violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as civil rights statutes from New York State, New York City, and New Jersey. These allegations detail a pattern of mistreatment that DeLorenzo claims undermined her career and ultimately led to her dismissal.
One of the initial incidents described in the filing occurred at DeLorenzo’s very first mini-camp in Houston. According to the complaint, Walter Anderson allegedly instructed DeLorenzo to pull her hair into a ponytail through the back of her cap. The stated purpose of this directive, the lawsuit claims, was "to signal to everyone watching that a woman was standing on the field." When DeLorenzo reportedly brought this instruction to crew chief John Hussey, his alleged response was dismissive: “Who do you think you are? You are to listen to your boss. . . . Are you crazy?”
The complaint further details issues regarding equipment and apparel. DeLorenzo was allegedly outfitted in men’s-sized gear that did not fit properly, forcing her to purchase her own and affix an NFL shield patch to it. During inclement weather, the lawsuit claims that male officials received appropriate jackets and protective apparel, while DeLorenzo was reportedly denied such provisions.
Another significant incident occurred during the Pittsburgh Steelers training camp. A crew chief allegedly approached then-head coach Mike Tomlin with a suggestion that DeLorenzo perform a song in front of the group, a tradition typically imposed on rookie players. DeLorenzo complied, resulting in what the lawsuit describes as an “utterly humiliating singing performance” staged before Steelers players, coaching staff, her entire officiating crew, and her direct supervisor. The complaint further alleges that this supervisor, who had promised not to record her performance, did so anyway.
The alleged harassment, the lawsuit claims, extended beyond training camp. The weeks following were described as a "sustained campaign of profanity-laced degradation" led by her crew chief. The complaint notes that this same crew chief had reportedly faced previous accusations of mistreating another female employee. Before the close of that season, the crew chief allegedly ceased speaking to DeLorenzo entirely.
The following year, 2024, brought what the lawsuit labeled “an alleged training opportunity.” The NFL required DeLorenzo to attend a session designed for lower-level college officials, purportedly still learning the basics. Her union reportedly objected to this requirement, but the NFL proceeded. The filing states that no male NFL official had ever been sent to such a session, leading DeLorenzo's legal team to conclude: “It was a male power play that served its purpose of humiliating plaintiff, shattering her confidence, and significantly hindering her NFL career.”
DeLorenzo's legal representatives, attorneys Anne L. Clark and Emily Bass of Vladeck, Raskin & Clark, argue that the performance reviews used to justify her firing were themselves compromised. They contend these reviews were produced by the very individuals accused of orchestrating her mistreatment. The complaint asserts, “She worked her way through two decades of officiating — breaking barriers, making history, and outperforming expectations at every level — only to be met with hostility, retaliation, and systemic inequality the moment she stepped into a league that claims to champion opportunities for women.” Attorney Krista DiMercurio commented to Football Zebras, “Season one really set the stage for what was to come, and that’s kind of the theme here.”
In response to the lawsuit, the NFL has maintained its position, denying the allegations. Brian McCarthy, NFL Vice President of Communications, issued a statement to The Athletic, asserting, “The NFL is committed to providing a fair and supportive environment for all of its game officials.” He added, “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.”
The case is currently before U.S. District Judge Analisa Torres. DeLorenzo is seeking reinstatement to her position as an NFL official and unspecified financial damages. The legal proceedings are expected to delve into the specifics of DeLorenzo's performance reviews and the alleged incidents of discrimination and harassment.
