Who Was the First Female Official to Referee an NFL Game? [PHOTOS]

The NFL's first full-time female official is making headlines despite the fact that she says it is not her intention to do so.  But Sarah Thomas, who will take to the field as a line judge for the 2015 season, is not the first female to ever referee an NFL game.

That distinction belongs to Shannon Eastin, who filled in for three games in 2012 when the NFL locked out full-time officials.

Eastin, number 27 on the field, officiated her first game on August 9, 2012.  It was a pre-season game between the Green Bay Packers and the San Diego Chargers.

Her three regular season games were:

• August 25, 2012           St. Louis Rams v. Dallas Cowboys
• August 30, 2012           Minnesota Vikings v. Houston Texans
• September 9, 2012      St. Louis Rams v. Detroit Lions

She owns Arizona-based SE Sports Officiating, which trains officials and potential officials in football and basketball.

Eastin was widely considered, at age 11, to be the youngest person to train as a judo athlete at the United States Olympic Training Center.  She has won six national judo championships.

With the Thomas there has been no indication that Eastin plans to return to her football officiating duties, or that her participation is likely to influence Eastin to get back into the game.

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