Women don't have to listen to their inner-critic and hold themselves back; they can unleash themselves and reach their best potential if they put their effort into it. That's what I want my daughter to do.
Instead of waiting for opportunities to be handed to us, we need to create them. We need to advocate for ourselves.
I do know there are still industries that are not on an equal playing field with women. My thing is, don't let that keep you from continuing to do what you know that you have to do. Don't look at it as an excuse, look at it as an opportunity.
The media and the interviews are great, but that does not help me make a call on the field. To me, I've got to work the game, and I've got to be great at it.
My biggest advice to an official who wants to pursue college or come into the NFL is to make sure you're doing it for the right reasons. If you're coming in just because you want to be the female in the NFL, then I think you're doing it for the wrong reasons. If you're doing it because you want to be the best official, then pursue it.
The term role model is thrown around a lot, and I always tell people, your role models are hopefully parents and great influencers in your life. If I fall into that category, then I will embrace it for sure.
