The NFL announced on Tuesday the results of the investigation involving an alleged autograph request from referees Jeff Lamberth and Tripp Sutter to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. According to the results found by the league, the interaction between the player and the referees did not involve an autograph at all.
“After speaking with those involved, we have confirmed that the interaction between Jeff Lamberth, Tripp Sutter and Mike Evans did not involve any autograph requests from the referees. Lamberth and Sutter have been reminded of the importance of avoiding inappropriate appearances when interacting with players, coaches and team officials on game day – including pre- and post-game,” reads the statement issued by the NFL.
According to NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero, Lamberth was taken Evans’ phone number to pass on to a professional golfer for the receiver to take lessons. Since the referee did not have any paper on hand, he borrowed it from his colleague.
Mike Evans’ surreal encounter: refs ask him for autograph after game
At a press conference held also on Tuesday, Evans confirmed that there was no autograph request.
“I wasn’t signing an autograph. I talked to a lot of referees. We’re all human. He’s a nice guy. We were just talking about golf,” the receiver stated.
Lamberth has been an NFL referee since 2002. Sutter, meanwhile, has been in the league since 2019.
Referees may not ask for autographs, jerseys or memorabilia.
According to the collective bargaining agreement between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association, game officials are not allowed to “ask players, coaches or any other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia.”
In addition, game officials are not allowed to sell or trade NFL tickets for anything of greater value than the face value of the tickets” or “sell or trade for anything of value NFL merchandise, autographs or memorabilia.”
The CBA goes on to stipulate that game officials may need to obtain player autographs or team merchandise or memorabilia for personal or charitable purposes, but said that such requests should be made through the officiating department and never to a player or team employee directly.
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