Shannon Eastin breaks NFL’s on-field gender barrier
NFL official Shannon Eastin made her NFL debut Thursday night as the line judge when the Green Bay Packers took on San Diego in the preseason opener for both teams. (Aug. 4, 2012) Credit: AP
SAN DIEGO — Shannon Eastin has become the first woman to officiate an NFL game.
Eastin broke the NFL’s on-field gender barrier Thursday night, serving as the line judge for a seven-man crew working a preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers.
The 42-year-old from Tempe, Ariz., was dwarfed by the players as she lined up in front of San Diego’s sideline and had a camera following nearly every move just before kickoff. She seemed at ease in the spotlight and had at least two players shake her hand.
She is among a group of replacement officials working NFL games while the regular refs are locked out.
Eastin is a referee in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, college football’s second-highest level, and a 16-year veteran of officiating.
The cap she is wearing will be sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
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