NFL Explains What Mike Evans Was Exchanging With Refs Involves a Golf Pro

Mike Evans is involved in a pretty unusual story.

Two NFL officials are under the microscope over their actions following the Carolina Panthers’ 21-3 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 7 on Sunday. A video shot by a reporter showed two officials speaking with Tampa Bay Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans in the tunnel of Bank of America Stadium.  According to the tweet, they were asking Mike Evans to sign something. According to NFL Media, the league was reviewing the incident involving those refs, who were identified as side judge Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter.

See the incident below:

I didn’t know refs get autographs after the game. pic.twitter.com/4IgUHIiAgz

— Sheena Quick (@Sheena_Marie3) October 23, 2022

On Tuesday, the NFL provided an update and responded that the interaction apparently had nothing to do with an autograph request.

“After speaking with the individuals involved, we have confirmed that the postgame interaction between Jeff Lamberth, Tripp Sutter, and Mike Evans did not involve a request by the game officials for an autograph,” the NFL said in a statement.

Statement from the NFL saying it has spoken with the officials involved in the postgame interaction with Mike Evans and confirmed they were not, in fact, asking for an autograph. https://t.co/UQGJMFvhqp pic.twitter.com/DJZ24up1wL

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2022

Side judge Jeff Lamberth and Evans both went to Texas A&M and his number was being retrieved to pass along to a golf pro.

Full story: #Bucs WR Mike Evans and side judge Jeff Lamberth both went to Texas A&M, and Lamberth was getting Evans’ phone number to pass it along to a golf pro to give Evans lessons, per sources. Lamberth didn’t have paper, so he borrowed it from another official.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2022

The NFL said in its statement that both Jeff Lamberth and line judge Tripp Sutter “have been reminded of the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety when interacting with players, coaches, and club staff on gameday…”

In other words: Bad look. No discipline.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 25, 2022

This is just not a good look for the NFL.  Refs and players should have absolutely no interaction off the field with one another. There’s far too much at stake with all the gambling money coming in these days, and the last thing the NFL needs is a gambling scandal.

The whole Golf pro explanations sounds a little peculiar.

The Buccaneers fell to 3-4 on the year with the loss to the Panthers. Mike Evans led the Bucs with nine receptions for 96 yards.

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!