Two NFL referees could be in hot water after appearing to ask Tampa Bay Bucs star Mike Evans for an autograph – as league ‘opens review into their possible rule-breaking behavior’
- NFL investigates behavior of two referees after Bucs-Panthers game
- Jeff Lamberth and Tripp Sutter stopped Bucs’ Mike Evans for signing
- Officials ‘have no right to ask players for autographs’, according to rules
- Fans on social media were divided over the incident following the loss to Tampa Bay
- There’s a chance that Evans, a team captain, signed an official score sheet
- Click here for all your latest international sports news from DailyMail.com
The NFL is reportedly investigating the conduct of two referees who appeared to ask for the autograph of Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans after the Buccaneers’ game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the league launched a review of events shortly after the two were seen running towards Evans with a pen and a piece of paper to sign.
The footage was shot inside the tunnels at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, with the two officials identified as Jeff Lamberth and Tripp Sutter.
According to the NFL-NFLRA collective agreement, officials are prohibited from asking “players, coaches or any other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia.”
It is unclear whether there are any rules that provide penalties for officials who go looking for signatures.
![A reporter in the Bank of America Stadium tunnel in Charlotte spotted officials looking for Mike Evans to sign something for them](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
A reporter in the Bank of America Stadium tunnel in Charlotte spotted officials looking for Mike Evans to sign something for them
Specifically, it is unclear whether there will be a sanction for the two referees involved in this incident.
It could also be a case of the officials not looking for autographs, rather, Evans – who is a captain – may have signed an official scoresheet or game notes, which he is required to do.
DailyMail.com contacted an NFL spokesperson for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
![NFL is investigating both officials to see if their conduct violated NFLRA ABCs](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_371_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
NFL is investigating both officials to see if their conduct violated NFLRA ABCs
Fans on social media had varied responses to the incident – with some pointing to the possibility of game notes, others calling for punishment.
“Captains must sign information cards after every game. It’s standard procedure. You’re hitting this one too hard,’ one Twitter user wrote.
“Would be a bad look if the Bucs won lol,” another tweeted.
One described the interaction as “strange” while another said, “What’s going on?”
Tampa Bay lost Sunday’s game by a score of 21-3.
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_537_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_245_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_373_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_178_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
![](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_704_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
![Fans were unsure if the referees were looking for his signature for a personal memento or for the official score sheet as part of typical daily Sunday proceedings.](https://oponame.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/1666651914_430_Two-NFL-referees-caught-on-camera-asking-Tampa-Bay-star.jpg)
Fans were unsure if the referees were looking for his signature for a personal memento or for the official score sheet as part of typical daily Sunday proceedings.
The Bucs’ loss was a huge shock in Week 7 and came a week after their 20-18 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Evans dropped a wide-opening 64-yard touchdown pass on the third play of the game.
“Nobody is playing is the only reason you lose, but that was definitely the main reason,” Evans said after the game.
“I saw life leave us. It took me a while to get back to playing. We are taught to play the next game, but it was tough – wide open, one of the best in the game – I have to catch it.
Evans was referring to star quarterback Tom Brady, who gave his team another rallying cry after Sunday’s disappointing loss.
The Bucs fell below .500 as the Panthers sealed only their second win of the season.
Advertising
#NFL #referees #caught #camera #Tampa #Bay #star #Mike #Evans #autograph #tunnel