NFL Investigating Postgame Incident Involving Referee Asking Mike Evans For His Autograph
A video has emerged from Sunday of a couple of officials who appeared to be seeking an autograph from Buccaneers WR Mike Evans. Their names are, according to FootballZebras.com, side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter.
The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) that controls the relationship between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association has a specific provision regarding game tickets, merchandise, and memorabilia.
«Game Officials must even avoid the appearance of profiting or personally benefiting from their association with the NFL, other than from compensation provided under the NFLRA Collective Bargaining Agreement,» the CBA explains at Appendix E, Section IV. «NFL Game Officials are permitted to receive compensation for speaking engagements or for participating in officiating clinics as long as these activities do not conflict with Article 22 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. In addition to the prohibitions set forth in Appendix E, Section I A above, Game Officials shall not . . . 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; or . . . ask players, coaches or any other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia.»
The Bucs lost to the Panthers on Sunday, so the referees likely didn't help out the Tampa Bay team in any unordinary capacity.
Still, this isn't a good look for the league.
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