Published on: August 8, 2012
by Kevin CoupeAnother bastion of male exclusivity falls. And it is about time.
The Los Angeles Times reports that tomorrow night's preseason football game between the Green Bay Packers and San Diego Chargers will have a female referee - the first time a National Football League has had a female ref in the league's almost century-long existence.
Now, it isn't like the NFL suddenly has become enlightened. The Times notes that Shannon Eastin - who has refereed high school and college games - was hired as part of a replacement crew that was needed because of a labor dispute between regular officials and the league.
Now, I'm not interested in having women refereeing professional football games and umpiring baseball games just for the sake of having women. I'm just interested in having smart people with good judgement and exceptional eyesight doing these jobs. And I have to believe that there are plenty of women out there who are at least as good - if not substantially better - than some of the officials who make questionable calls.
That said, it is still a good thing when bastions of male exclusivity fall. It's better for all of us.
- KC's View: