National Football League

Female ref to work NFL preseason tilt

Published Aug. 6, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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Shannon Eastin will become the first female to officiate an NFL game when she works as a line judge for the Green Bay at San Diego preseason match Thursday night.

The regular NFL officials have been locked out by the league.

Eastin is a college referee who has worked in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (FCS division). She is one of the replacement officials hired by the NFL and has 16 years of experience.

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 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 Footbal League.