A couple of NFL referees caused some controversy this weekend following Sunday afternoon’s Carolina Panthers vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers game when side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter appeared to be seeking an autograph from star Tampa Bay receiver Mike Evans in the tunnel after the game. But after an investigation, it appears that is not actually what was going on.
While the league did not reveal exactly what the referees were doing with Evans in the tunnel, the NFL did find that the officials were not seeking Evans’ autograph.
“After speaking with the individuals involved, we have confirmed that the postgame interaction between Jeff Lamberth, Trupp Sutter, and Mike Evans did not involve a request by the game officials for an autograph,” the NFL said in a statement, according to Pro Football Talk. “Both Lamberth and Sutter have been reminded of the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety when interacting with players, coaches, and club staff on gameday — including during the pregame and postgame time periods.”
If the referees were found to have been seeking autographs, it would have been a violation of the collective bargaining agreement as the document states that officials “shall not… ask players, coaches or any other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia.”
It’s also worth noting that the officials clearly didn’t do much to help Tampa Bay on Sunday as the team suffered a shocking loss to the Carolina Panthers despite entering the game as 14-point favorites.
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