Police officers by day step in as Portland high school football officials at night: ‘Really impactful’

Two law enforcement officers are taking their heroism back to high school.

Jeana Fisher, a sheriff's deputy, and Steve Anderson, an officer — both in the area of Portland, Oregon — have been acting as high school football officials under their local Friday night lights.

The officers joined "Fox & Friends" on Wednesday to discuss their involvement with the Portland Football Officials Association and how they've been refereeing recent championships.

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Fisher of the Clackmas County Sheriff’s Office already made history as the first woman in Oregon to work a 6A state championship football game.

The sheriff's deputy said she attempted to break the stigma of women in football as a longtime player herself, adding that it was "quite difficult" to become involved with the sport as a young female.

"We’re still looked at in a little bit of a different way," she said.

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"We’re questioned because of our gender before they even question whether we know anything."

Now, Fisher mentioned her love of the "supportive" association as she continues to represent women in male-dominated sports.

"All the guys that I partner with are very supportive, and my family is very supportive," she said.

"And I love football. I wouldn’t change it for the world."

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Anderson of the Beaverton Police Department admitted that he wishes he’d become a referee sooner.

"I wish I had started right out of college," he said. "The more experience I would have, the better."

The officer said what he loves most is being able to give back to the kids, since football was a "big part" of his childhood, too.

"To be part of the competition and help create fair play for everybody — it’s the greatest experience on a Friday night," he said.

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While players are unaware that these officials double as law enforcement officers, Anderson said the officers aim to remain a "silent part of the game."

"We just keep the game fair," he said.

"We have a little bit of training to keep people in line so that helps, I’m sure." 

Fisher added that having the opportunity to be hands-on with the game once again has been "really impactful."

"When you love something so much and you get to continue [doing] it in a different form, that’s even better," she said.

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