Shannon Eastin

Replacement referees are getting their starts this week. While the concept of having replacement refs is historical in itself. Thursday that concept is taking a step up.

A female will take the field on Thursday to officiate the Green Bay and San Diego match up.

Shannon Eastin, a native of Tempe, Arizona, is a college referee who has 16 years of experience and has worked in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, will be the first female referee.

Another fun fact about Eastin?  She has won six national judo championships. Awesome, right? This should help her with some of those big guys on the gridiron!  According to FoxSports.com, she was the youngest judo athlete ever to train at the U.S. Olympic Training Center, doing so when she was 11.

Definitely looking forward to seeing Eastin in action on Thursday!

Do you think this will lead to more female referees? More female officials in other male dominated sports? Let me know what you think! Comment below!

Miranda Remaklus is lead writer for Aerys Offsides. She’s also a contributor at Aaron Miles’ Fastball in the MLB section. Follow her on Twitter, @missmiranda.