After 18 successful seasons in the NBA as a trendsetter, Violet Palmer has decided to hang up her whistle for the last time. Palmer joined Dee Kantner in 1997 as the first female referees in major American pro sports. According to BleacherReport.com, 52-year-old Palmer is battling some knee issues which has forced her into retirement.
Palmer earned the respect of the guys on the court despite seeing her appearances decreases towards the end of her career solely because of her injury. Palmer’s fingerprints were on 919 total games, Game 2 of the 2006 Eastern Conference first-round as well as one All Star Game during her career.
Hopefully Palmer can sit back and enjoy life as she watches more and more women follow her path as a NBA referee.
