11/05/24
September 10, 2012
Female Line Judge Makes NFL History: On Sunday, Shannon Eastin became the first woman to officiate an NFL game in league history. The AP story says she helped break up a post-game fight, but a photo tells a funnier story. St. Louis Rams defensive back Cortland Finnegan and Detroit Lions linebacker Stephen Tulloch were joking around.
The best part about this story is that I had no idea about it until I came here. I didn't see any news about it pre-game, or a discussion among talking heads if it was a good/bad thing, or pundits even suggesting it was something historical that should be celebrated.
It was just a person doing their job.
"I hope she's just a line judge. Don't want her to get hurt.
From the article:
"Eastin, who is originally from Worcester, Mass., was a multiple national judo champion as a child..."
I think she'd be fine. If it's size/weight, I'm sure there are some smaller/older football officials who might be in more danger than her.
posted by grum@work at 01:24 PM on September 10, 2012
And yet, it is something historical that should be celebrated: not "hey, imagine that, a woman officiating at a football game, what next", but the fact that a woman was given the opportunity to do so.
posted by lil_brown_bat at 01:27 PM on September 10, 2012
I am pretty sure I heard Collinsworth say something that was maybe a centimeter this side of cringeworthy about it, so it did get at least passing mention at some point during the SNF festivities last night.
posted by feloniousmonk at 01:45 PM on September 10, 2012
I don't know what he said, but I guarantee he's been more cringeworthy in the past.
posted by rcade at 02:55 PM on September 10, 2012
Can't be more cringeworthy than the famous Richard Keys and Andy Gray rant on Sian Massey.
posted by jjzucal at 04:30 PM on September 10, 2012
That's like guaranteeing that water is wet.
posted by feloniousmonk at 04:38 PM on September 10, 2012
Fun story - now let's not ruin it with political suggestions.
posted by EEEEE at 06:40 PM on September 10, 2012
Dissing Collinsworth is a "political suggestion"? What, were you thinking he should run for office?
posted by lil_brown_bat at 07:56 PM on September 10, 2012
"Women are more honest and fair than men and they know how to catch a man cheating," Foote said. "I hope she's just a line judge. Don't want her to get hurt."
Nah, not too sexist.