First Female NFL Referee Takes the Field!
NFL Preseason AND the Olympics on my TV last week . . .ahhhh . . .music to my eyes and ears. The coolest thing about the NFL Preseason (maybe the ONLY cool thing) was the first female NFL referee on the field for the first Preseason game last Thursday night! The regular officials are in dispute with the NFL and are “locked out” so they are using substitutes. So that’s why our Shannon Eastin got a chance. A familiar story to some of us: we got our chance while the men were otherwise engaged. We will take it—a chance to work with the boys. It’s okay—as Shannon herself said, “If I go unnoticed, I’ve done my job.” She spent 17 years as a football official in the non-pro football world before this historic day. She’s 42 years old and 5’5”—dwarfed by the players. At 5’0” I can relate—I am dwarfed by nearly everyone in the world. Shannon threw 5 flags during the game between Green Bay and San Diego, and was praised by coaches and players. Norv Turner, Head Coach of the Chargers said, “She was confident and in control.” Two players sought her out before kickoff—shaking her hand and saying a few words before she ran down the sideline for the first time. I was proud. AND the best part is that this “first” is so important that her cap and whistle are going into the NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio!
And super proud I was of the women’s USA basketball team, beating France in the Gold medal match. Wow! I do love watching basketball, whether it’s men or women. You can get addicted to the “swish” of the ball through the hoop . . .I get it—and will be watching this season. The women are different in their behavior. They are more emotional, hug each other more—they act like girls. I find it cool that they are so diverse: not just hair—some wear little earrings, waterproof eye make-up (I’m surmising here). So much individuality and I love it. They are all one in their concentration and focus, however, and they played hard to beat France and win the 5th straight Gold medal for our country. I know I am not alone, dear Reader, in shedding tears when our anthem is played and the stars and stripes are hoisted in the Olympics arena above the rest.
So football is back, and all is right with the world. On the weekends, I have caught up on all the ‘40’s movies I need to—for my whole life! I look forward to turning my Saturdays to College Football and my Sundays to the NFL. Can’t wait!