Refs asking Mike Evans for Autograph

[Donuts and Doritos]

After the bucks game refs caught asking Mike Evans for an autograph. (See below). How is that kosher? 

 

NFL on ClutchPoints on Instagram: "Maybe they can only ask players from the losing teams for autographs 👀 (via @Sheena_Marie3/TW)"
https://www.instagram.com/p/CkEpBV_uwg8

 

[H2o]

[scuba guy]

Maybe he wanted it for and friend 

 

Wink wink

[RochesterLifer]

The ref could have children, nephews or nieces who are a fan. I don’t have a problem with this. To make this an issue is silly.

[US Egg]

…..would’ve asked for his jersey.

[UKBillFan]

He would have probably dropped the pen anyway.

[NewEra]

Maybe a family member is a die hard Mike evans fan?  Sheesh

[Bferra13]

It's not a good look and these guys get paid way too much to be doing this. Shouldn't happen. 

[Shake_My_Head]

Meh.   No different than players trading jerseys after a game.

[mannc]

1 minute ago, Shake_My_Head said:

Meh.   No different than players trading jerseys after a game.

Completely different

[Shake_My_Head]

3 minutes ago, mannc said:

Completely different

How so?     Refs have a job to do.  They do it.    Opposing players have a job to do.  They do it.    All of it takes place on the field.    What happens off it is immaterial.

[Buffalo716]

I know a D1 referee and he completely takes emotion out of it 

 

he likes football not teams and he would never show any inkling of liking a player to any degree 

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

This might not necessarily be against league rules, but it's not a great look. Autographing an item increases its value significantly, so it's essentially giving money to someone who's supposed to be an impartial judge.

[Bferra13]

4 minutes ago, Shake_My_Head said:

How so?     Refs have a job to do.  They do it.    Opposing players have a job to do.  They do it.    All of it takes place on the field.    What happens off it is immaterial.

One is a show of sportsmanship and the other could imply bias that affects the integrity of the game. These autographs are like currency these days. Dude is paid plenty as it is.

[mannc]

3 minutes ago, Shake_My_Head said:

How so?     Refs have a job to do.  They do it.    Opposing players have a job to do.  They do it.    All of it takes place on the field.    What happens off it is immaterial.

Players might trade jerseys…what did the ref trade for Evans’s autograph? And don’t you think the ref might be somewhat less likely to call OPI (or more likely to call dpi) on Evans in the future? At a minimum, it’s a horrible look.

[BillnutinHouston]

That has to be a fireable offense.  The optics are unacceptable.

[bdomdbomb]

I cannot believe these posts - somebody responded by saying, "if it happens off the field it is immaterial".  So if the ref is given money off the field is that immaterial?  In a sport where one call can turn the course of a game (Brady this year against Atlanta, Brady last year against Atlanta when the refs moved the ball forward for a first down) the refs need not only be fair and unbiased, they need to put themselves above even the mere possibility of impropriety.  Do I think the ref was helping out the Bucs today? No! - but that is not the point.  The referees need to be be aware of the optics to all fans so fans can believe the outcomes of all games are legitimate.

[Bferra13]

11 minutes ago, bdomdbomb said:

I cannot believe these posts - somebody responded by saying, "if it happens off the field it is immaterial".  So if the ref is given money off the field is that immaterial?  In a sport where one call can turn the course of a game (Brady this year against Atlanta, Brady last year against Atlanta when the refs moved the ball forward for a first down) the refs need not only be fair and unbiased, they need to put themselves above even the mere possibility of impropriety.  Do I think the ref was helping out the Bucs today? No! - but that is not the point.  The referees need to be be aware of the optics to all fans so fans can believe the outcomes of all games are legitimate.

Exactly. And since this is now making its rounds on the internet, I'm sure this dude will get a call from the league to never do that again. If there's one thing Rodg hates its bad optics.

[Buffalo Boy]

2 hours ago, RochesterLifer said:

The ref could have children, nephews or nieces who are a fan. I don’t have a problem with this. To make this an issue is silly.

Quid pro quo….. anybody……Bueller……Bueller?

[Herc11]

Wow... some of you guys are too high strung. It was only a piece of paper. Not like he was signing something of value. 

[ChronicAndKnuckles]

Najee Harris gotta be the least explosive RB I’ve ever seen. Does this guy ever have a carry over 4 yards ?

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Could be the ref never had the autograph of someone who dropped such as wide open pass??

[bobobonators]

Some of you need to take a Xanax. 

[3rdand12]

10 minutes ago, bobobonators said:

Some of you need to take a Xanax. 

do you have any to spare ?

 

Not sure this is appropriate behavior for and Official. because where do you draw the line ?
I suggest that no Gifts that could possibly influence or sway judgment , or be Perceived as swaying of influencing judgement should be allowed.

That being said

 Probably honest mistake here. Hand slap move on

[VaMilBill]

3 hours ago, RochesterLifer said:

The ref could have children, nephews or nieces who are a fan. I don’t have a problem with this. To make this an issue is silly.

Doesn’t matter IMO. He’s supposed to be a professional ref and never display any act that can be perceived as bias.
 

 He’s essentially using his position for self-gain whether the autograph is for him or a friend/family member. He should know better. 

[Orlando Tim]

My issue is simply the image of this- the NFL needs to create a system where the officials can get this kind of thing without having direct interaction. What is Evans supposed to say? If he says no then the next game with this crew is bad.

[Bferra13]

Not sure how some people can defend this... First off how pathetic is it that a man with a full head of white hair wants another man's signature on a piece of paper? And there wasn't enough time to say its for little Eddie on that sig. Can't happen with an official. You need that autograph that bad then get it in March when he's at the Saratoga Casino signing session or whatever. 

[ExiledInIllinois]

3 hours ago, RochesterLifer said:

The ref could have children, nephews or nieces who are a fan. I don’t have a problem with this. To make this an issue is silly.

Disagree.   Just like raffles, etc... The whole family is disqualified. 

 

Did anybody see the Mike Evans drop?  How that wasn't offensive pass interference is beyond me!

 

The announcers are like: "The defender got turned around and slipped and fell." LMFAO... Yeah,  right.

 

Instant karma when he dropped it!

 

[The Dean]

He just forgot to sign his scorecard. Pretty obvious.  😜

 

Honestly I don't think it's a big deal. But you'd think he would wait until later to get it in a more private place. It is a bad look, IMO.

[Just Jack]

36 minutes ago, The Dean said:

He just forgot to sign his scorecard. Pretty obvious.  😜

 

That was my thought also, like golf, they need a captain to sign the scorecard at the end of the game. 

[Bferra13]

36 minutes ago, The Dean said:

He just forgot to sign his scorecard. Pretty obvious.  😜

 

Honestly I don't think it's a big deal. But you'd think he would wait until later to get it in a more private place. It is a bad look, IMO.

Pretty much. I live in the corporate world and any kind of "gifts" as a perk from the job is a fireable offense. And I'm not out here calling games. It's not a huge deal, but enough of one that should get him a warning.

[stevewin]

Could be his Uncle Charlie

[ExiledInIllinois]

Same in the Fed gov't.  Ethics training has to be taken yearly.

 

But that's all being thrown out the window by the higher ups the last bunch of years. 

 

The rise of nepotism, meritocracy, etc... Is really causing the downfall.  The NFL, legalized gambling, etc... Is, IMO, causing problems with the perception of impropriety.  Negative perception is very important and causes a lot of damage. 

 

The one's saying this is no big deal must not think value optics.

[MJS]

Pretty bad look. Ultimately, I don't think it is a huge deal, but refs are supposed to be PROFFESIONALLY NEUTRAL. The key to success is to appear to be unbiased. Asking for an autograph from a player is not neutral or unbiased. It is the opposite.

 

Another problem with it is they are enforcers of the rules and authority figures on the field. They are supposed to be above the players. An act like this puts you below the players.

[Bubba Gump]

The ref shoulda just waited for him in the parking lot when there is no media around. Was stupid to do it in the tunnel while there are people and cameras everywhere. I guess officials really are that dumb. 

[NickelCity]

Refs should not be allowed to solicit autographs. I'm surprised this isn't codified already. Talk about the basics.

[BLeonard]

Dunno why it always involves Tampa Bay, but it's happened before:

 

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by BLeonard

[LeGOATski]

8 hours ago, BLeonard said:

Dunno why it always involves Tampa Bay, but it's happened before:

 

 

Story aside, I like how candid the players are with those answers. Favre, Lynch, Nickerson did not sound like they were walking on egg shells at all. Usually, at least these days, players are careful not to reveal anything.

 

Has anyone asked Mike Evans about the autograph?

[Ramza86]

16 hours ago, RochesterLifer said:

The ref could have children, nephews or nieces who are a fan. I don’t have a problem with this. To make this an issue is silly.

 

It shouldnt be silly....but lets say Mike Evans told those two to eff off. You think that wont be in the back of their minds when they are calling a game with him in it and there is a close call?

 

 

[DrDawkinstein]

17 hours ago, Bferra13 said:

It's not a good look and these guys get paid way too much to be doing this. Shouldn't happen. 

 

Agreed that it's not a great look, but I dont see it as a big deal.

 

Also, this isnt even their main, full-time job. Refs make decent money, but it is a secondary, part-time job for all of them. It's ridiculous that the NFL doesnt make it a full-time, primary job and get these guys in camps and workshops more.