woman to officiate in NFL....

[Huskers57]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp1...ame-first-time

granted it's preseason, but it's a step in the right direction.

A woman will be part of an NFL officiating crew for the first time Thursday night, the league confirmed Monday.

Shannon Eastin, who has been a referee in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, will work Thursday night's preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). The news had been earlier reported by the Los Angeles Times.

[unmartin]

as long as gingers don't get to do it than everything should be fine

[Red Reign]

Already happens in England in League soccer (EPL and the three lower divisions)...both as linesman and refs....I don't see an issue....

[CornfieldCounty]

All for it!!

[ColoREDo]

All for it!!

I am pretty sure that they have had these officials working at local sportsbars for quite some time.

[huskrthill]

How is it a "step in the right direction?" Have women been denied the opportunity to officiate football? Or are there just not a whole lot of women that have ever wanted to do it?

[Squatchsker]

I sincerely hope she will not take it upon herself to dictate how each QB handles every drive.

[huskrthill]

I sincerely hope she will not take it upon herself to dictate how each QB handles every drive.

Or tell the running back to stop and ask for directions.

[schuskerfan]

MEAC to the NFL that's quite a jump she must look like the girl in the pic.

[Squatchsker]

Or tell the running back to stop and ask for directions.

Respect

[Red Dead Redemption]

If she's gonna ref, who's gonna make me a sammich during the game?

[dkref11]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp1...ame-first-time

granted it's preseason, but it's a step in the right direction.

I'm sure there can be some arguing that she can not do any worse than some that are already there...But, If she is only there because of her gender..then it is not a step in the right direction..I'd rather have the best officials on the field...I don't know her, but I'd like to see how much time she has put in to get to this position.... I hope she is well qualified and not just rushed through the system because of her gender...I also know from experience there are many more men out there who are more qualified and being denied their opportunity because of political correctness.

[ShuckIt]

Will be very interested in how she handles this. NFL players like to talk, they like to yell, they like to slap the ref on the butt every now and again as they run by. Will she handle it like every other ref or will she throw a flag. Will be really interesting to see how the players handle it when she throws a flag in their direction.

[dkref11]

Will be very interested in how she handles this. NFL players like to talk, they like to yell, they like to slap the ref on the butt every now and again as they run by. Will she handle it like every other ref or will she throw a flag. Will be really interesting to see how the players handle it when she throws a flag in their direction.

Her resume may help her in this category...

A resident of Tempe, Ariz., Eastin also has won six national judo championships. She was the youngest judo athlete ever to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, doing so when she was 11.

[Squatchsker]

I hope she understands that it is she that is walking into the boy's club and not the other way around. I once had a boss admonish me for using a certain word when a woman chose to come work with a group of men. I said to him that if she told me she had a problem with it I may use it twice as much. Of course that was when I was younger and was a touch more brash. Point being, I hope she leaves any genteel sensetivities she may have in her locker.

[ShuckIt]

Her resume may help her in this category...

A resident of Tempe, Ariz., Eastin also has won six national judo championships. She was the youngest judo athlete ever to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, doing so when she was 11.

I was glad to see this on her resume at least she has takin some brutal hits most likely. May be different kind of hit coming from a 250lb LB though, but at least there is athleticism and strength in her past experience. Jumping from the MEAC to the NFL is a monster jump in terms of speed of the game though.

[Red Dead Redemption]

I hope she understands that it is she that is walking into the boy's club and not the other way around. I once had a boss admonish me for using a certain word when a woman chose to come work with a group of men. I said to him that if she told me she had a problem with it I may use it twice as much. Of course that was when I was younger and was a touch more brash. Point being, I hope she leaves any genteel sensetivities she may have in her locker.

...didn't think that was possible...

[ShuckIt]

Politically incorrect response: QBs finally got their wish, someone who will kiss their booboos when they get knocked down by a big meany LB.

[Ogahusker]

How'd she get out of the kitchen?

[Squatchsker]

How'd she get out of the kitchen?

She must have found the keys.