Jaguars defensive linesmen compares female ref to Michael Sam

Multiple reports say the NFL is set to hire Sarah Thomas as its first full-time female official.

What most see as a ground-breaking moment for women in the NFL, Jaguars defensive lineman Sen'Derrick Marks views as nothing more than a publicity stunt.

"It's just like the Michael Sam situation - if he wasn't gay, he would've gone undrafted," Marks told TMZ. "Instead the league drafts him because I think they are trying to monopolize on every aspect of the world ... the same thing with hiring a female ref.

"For the league it's great publicity. The NFL is all about monopolizing every opportunity."

Marks must not be familiar with Thomas' credentials. Thomas has been an official for Conference USA since 2007 and became the first female to officiate a bowl game in 2009. She has also worked NFL training camps in New Orleans and officiated a pre-season game in 2013.

For what it is worth, Marks is not completely against the idea, adding he hopes it "works out for her."

"For women, it's great," Marks said. "Ain't nothing wrong with it, especially as long as she knows what she's doing."