Refs are also NFL fans, but it would be best if they kept that fandom to themselves because the video below just doesn’t look good as the referee implored Mike Evans for his autograph
Wide receiver Mike Evans was stopped by a referee in the tunnel after the Tampa Bay Bucs’ Sunday defeat to the Carolina Panthers to sign an autograph.
NFL Referee Jeff Lamberth And Line Judge Tripp Sutter Seen Asking Mike Evans For His Autograph After Game, Video Goes Viral On Twitter
I didn’t know refs get autographs after the game. pic.twitter.com/4IgUHIiAgz
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 23, 2022
The entire game on Sunday went without a touchdown for Tampa Bay.
This would be a lot bigger story if the Buccaneers had won the game. The league office will undoubtedly warn him to never repeat this mistake.
In Sunday’s 21-3 loss to the Panthers, Evans caught nine of 15 targets for 96 yards. However, it was because of him that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell to the Carolina Panthers on the third play from scrimmage on Sunday. Evans was running alone across the field when Bucs quarterback Tom Brady sent a gorgeous deep ball his way, but Evans dropped it. It made a 64-yard touchdown pass that would have otherwise been incomplete.
NFL to review officials requesting Mike Evans’ signature
The NFL is looking into a video that appears to show two uniformed officials approaching Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans for an autograph in the tunnel following Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers.
The recording was made by 1340 AM After Tampa Bay’s 21-3 loss, Fox Sports showed side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter yelling Evans’ name and getting autographs from the great receiver.
Sutter is in his fourth season, while Lamberth is in his 21st.
In order to avoid the appearance of prejudice, the NFL and the NFL Referees Association forbid officials from approaching players, coaches, and NFL team personnel for autographs.
The NFL and NFLRA’s collective bargaining agreement permits officials to request autographs, team memorabilia, and other items for charitable causes, but only through the league’s officiating department, not directly. The league was investigating the video, according to the NFL Network’s initial report on Monday.
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