The Official GB Packers vs SD Chargers Game Thu 8pm ESPN (A WOMAN WILL REF THIS GAME)

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 the preseason game between the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). The news had been reported earlier by The Los Angeles Times.

Eastin was not immediately available for comment.

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.

The NFL has begun using replacement referees this summer after locking out its permanent officials in a contract dispute.

The officiating team for the Hall of Fame Game Sunday night included officials who have worked college games and some professional games, such as in the Arena Football League.

By contrast, the first women to officiate any major U.S. professional sport occurred in the NBA in 1997.

how she look???

I didn't get to watch the saints/cardinals game. Was it refd by replacements n how did they do? N is she a replacement ref too??

They play the chargers not Seahawks.

just keep her away from big ben games

just keep her away from big ben games

cause ben might[..] her? [pic]

cause ben might[..] her? [pic]

Obvious joke is obvious. [pic]

and so it begins. she'll be on her period, all hot over some dude like tom brady, calling roughing the passer whenever he gets looked at funny.

cause ben might[..] her? [pic]

Obvious joke is obvious. [pic]

[pic]