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It appears that a pair of refs might have gotten themselves in trouble with the NFL after the Bucs-Panthers game.
On Sunday, Panthers beat writer Sheena Quick filmed two refs trying to get an autograph from Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans while he was walking off the field.
I didn’t know refs get autographs after the game. pic.twitter.com/4IgUHIiAgz
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 23, 2022
One of the refs was seen following Evans near the locker room area to secure the autograph.
Eek. pic.twitter.com/tduGSEYzuk
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 23, 2022
The Internet was appalled by the situation.
Look, we are all football fans. But autograph seeking, even if in the tunnel, cannot be tolerated. SJ Jeff Lamberth (21st season) and LJ Tripp Sutter (4) know better. This may be the last season for Lamberth, but that's no excuse to cross a line like thispic.twitter.com/CboOAH3Jr8
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) October 24, 2022
According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the NFL is investigating the ref considering it’s against league policy for refs to ask players for autographs.
Via Tom Pelissero
The NFL is reviewing the incident involving side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter, I’m told.
The NFL-NFLRA CBA specifically says game officials “shall not… ask players, coaches or any other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia.”