No one is particularly thrilled about the use of replacement refs in NFL games as the league continues with a labor dispute with its officials. But the reality will provide for a first in NFL history. Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times has confirmed that Thursday night will mark the debut of a woman as an official in a professional football game, with Shannon Eastin officiating in the Packers v. Chargers preseason game.
Eastin has an impressive resume to date, so it’s no wonder the NFL has tapped her to have an important on-field role. She has worked in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference and is no stranger to making history, as she was the first woman to officiate a game for Florida A&M in 2009.
Replacement refs were used during Sunday night’s Hall of Fame game without incident, so hopefully that trend will continue until the NFL and its officials can come to a labor agreement.
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