Shannon Eastin Referee: Making History As First Female Referee In NFL
Shannon Eastin is set to make history as the first female official in NFL history.
Eastin will referee the Green Bay Packers-San Diego Chargers preseason game on Thursday.
The 42-year-old is more than qualified; she has 16 years of experience in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, the college level that is second-highest behind the NFL.
"I want to encourage women: Don't be afraid," Eastin told The Associated Press. "Pursue and have dreams. This is my dream. With every step, I hope to show it really doesn't matter if you are male or female."
Eastin is being criticized by members of the NFL for taking the job while there is a labor union disagreement between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association.
"Hopefully there is some understanding on their part (that) I have got to do what's in the best interest of myself," Eastin added. "Just as they have to do what is in their best interest."
The NFL hired Eastin as one of many referees they have brought in to replace the officials involved in the union dispute and not playing during the preseason. The move was made to prepare the league for NFL season set to begin in a few weeks.
The process has not been going well for the league because the referee's trainers (former NFL officials) are refusing to train the replacements. It has not been confirmed if the union dispute is why they are not participating.
According to NFL.com, the official trainers were told to return their company laptops after declining to train Eastin and other replacement officials.
Eastin will make history as the first female official when the preseason game airs live on August 9 at 8pm E.T. on ESPN.
