NFL referees are football fans by definition. If they didn’t love the game, they wouldn’t be able to memorize the minutiae of the rulebook and make decisions on the spot.
NFL referees, however, cannot be fans of individual players or teams, or else that throws the objectivity of every whistle under investigation. And while that rarely comes up on the field aside from the conspiracy theories that hound every questionable call, it seems to have been a visible piece of the postgame walk to the tunnel after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 21-3 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 7.
That’s where it appears side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter tracked down an exiting Mike Evans to ask for his autograph.
I didn’t know refs get autographs after the game. pic.twitter.com/4IgUHIiAgz
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 23, 2022
That video from Panthers beat reporter Sheena Quick sure makes it look like two guys who just called the game asking one of the key players from it to sign something. A follow up didn’t quite confirm things, but also didn’t look good.
Eek. pic.twitter.com/tduGSEYzuk
— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 23, 2022
While this wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened, it would be something that would lead to NFL discipline if the video is indeed as bad as it looks.
And, I know it happens. It doesn't make it right. The venerable Jerry Bergman Sr. sought an autograph from Brett Favre before a game for his grandchild in his final season. He was rightfully called out and disciplined for it. Also, it's unfair to put players in such a position.
— Fᴏᴏᴛʙᴀʟʟ Zᴇʙʀᴀs🇺🇦 (@footballzebras) October 24, 2022
Was it an autograph? Did the judges need an official document signed? While it’s possible this was part of the crew’s game duties, the fact the Football Zebras Twitter account — an invaluable resource on game days for all things rule related — ran this whole exchange down as below board suggests this isn’t normal behavior for the men in stripes.