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First Female Referee Working Packers-Chargers Game

Shannon Eastin is expected to become the first woman referee to work an NFL game on Thursday night.

Aug 5, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Replacement referees talk in the fourth quarter during the pro football hall of fame preseason game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE
Aug 5, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Replacement referees talk in the fourth quarter during the pro football hall of fame preseason game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE
Aug 5, 2012; Canton, OH, USA; Replacement referees talk in the fourth quarter during the pro football hall of fame preseason game at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

The New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals met in Canton, Ohio, for the 2012 NFL Hall of Fame game on Sunday night, and the game will be remembered for a couple of things, including replacement refs, who were used for the first time in over a decade. The NFL has locked out the referees and the stalemate continued over the weekend when the league was forced to utilize replacement referees.


More: Will Replacement Referees Change The Game? | Referees Screw Up Coin Toss


On Thursday when the next set of NFL games are held, there could be history in the making. Shannon Eastin, a female referee, is scheduled to be part of the crew to work the game between the San Diego Chargers and Green Bay Packers, according to a report from Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times.

Eastin would be the first female referee to work an NFL game. With no end in sight for the lockout, it sure looks as if this will occur.

We’re all for more equality in traditionally male jobs like NFL referees but in this particular case it’s not the gender of the person we care about. It’s their experience as a referee. NFL players and fans should want the most qualified people handling referee duties.

For more on the NFL and referees lockout, check out this StoryStream.

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