A Different Kind of Uniform First

The Packers played their first preseason game in San Diego tonight, giving us our first look at the new Nike uniforms in action.

We'll cover that in some depth tomorrow, but first I wanted to recognize another first on the field, one that is related to uniforms only as far as who was wearing one for the first time.

Line judge Shannon Eastin, left, takes the field prior to an NFL preseason football game between the San Diego Chargers and the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Aug. 9, 2012, in San Diego. Eastin is a replacement line judge who will make her NFL debut in the exhibition game. The regular officials are locked out by the league after their contract expired.

I'm not a huge fan of either lockouts or replacement workers, but in this case I'm proud of the NFL. This is a great step forward.

Hopefully Ms. Eastin will have an opportunity to show her work and earn a regular spot on one of the NFL's officiating crews.

(Photo credit: AP Photo/Denis Poroy)