Refs asking Mike Evans for Autograph

[Nextmanup]

17 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.

Totally disagree.

 

It's just an ethical violation from top to bottom, totally unprofessional, and absolutely should not be allowed.

 

If this thing blows up, there will be a new rule outlawing it.

 

 

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Update: Apparently there's already a rule about this:

 

Edited October 24, 2022 by Allen2Diggs

[LeGOATski]

15 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Update: Apparently there's already a rule about this:

 

Of course there is. It's basic conflict-of-interest. Being a ref is a privilege. If you abuse that privilege, you're done. There are plenty of others in line and capable of reffing a game.

[Sherlock Holmes]

19 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Update: Apparently there's already a rule about this:

 

You should see the video of when they ask Tom Brady in the Bathroom...🤮

[Allen2D̶i̶g̶g̶s̶TBD]

Just now, LeGOATski said:

Of course there is. It's basic conflict-of-interest. Being a ref is a privilege. If you abuse that privilege, you're done. There are plenty of others in line and capable of reffing a game.

I think he will definitely face some type of suspension considering the attention this video has gotten.

 

I always thought the refs were replaceable until I watched the 2012 season during the strike and realized that it could be much worse.

 

Then again, they weren't able to just take refs from the NCAA in the middle of the season so the prerequisites were just that you had seen a football game before and had 3 or fewer beers...

 

 

[Watkins101]

20 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Update: Apparently there's already a rule about this:

 

Makes sense, as others have mentioned it’s definitely a conflict of interest. I saw some talk upthread about the potential for a ref to make calls somewhat in favor of the players that give them autographs, and it’s definitely possible. It also would be hard for a player to say no to a ref for fear of unfavorable rulings in the future I would think. 

[LeGOATski]

31 minutes ago, DrDawkinstein said:

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.

It's half-and-half for most. Basically two full time jobs split. During the season, they are full time. This article explains their pay and structure as best as possible: https://www.profootballnetwork.com/how-much-do-nfl-referees-make/

Just now, Allen2Diggs said:

I think he will definitely face some type of suspension considering the attention this video has gotten.

 

I always thought the refs were replaceable until I watched the 2012 season during the strike and realized that it could be much worse.

 

Then again, they weren't able to just take refs from the NCAA in the middle of the season so the prerequisites were just that you had seen a football game before and had 3 or fewer beers...

 

 

Yeah, that was not a good representation of the referee pool. In this case, you're replacing one or two officials on a team.

 

In 2012, they had brand new full teams. Brand new head refs who hadn't ever worked a game.

[RoyBatty is alive]

50 minutes ago, Allen2Diggs said:

Update: Apparently there's already a rule about this:

 

If it is in the rules and the refs cant follow the rules, there should be no equivocation, they both should be fired ASAP.

[HereComesTheReignAgain]

I would be pleasantly surprised if the ref is fired.  It seems like NFL referee is a lifetime appointment like the supreme court.  So many horrible calls with zero repercussions.  (other than possibly not working post season games)

[Herc11]

 

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

Did he drop the pen?? 😎

[RoyBatty is alive]

53 minutes ago, Herc11 said:

 

 

 

Arian Foster was a very strange dude, anything he did doesn't shock me.

Edited October 24, 2022 by RoyBatty is alive

[msw2112]

While there's probably nothing here (as mentioned above, refs have families, kids, grandkids, etc. who are fans and might like a player), it still is a bad look and shouldn't happen.  This official should be fined or suspended or terminated.

[ExWNYer]

Maybe the ref heard Evans had a killer chili recipe.

 

"Write everything down, Mike. I can't remember the rules so I sure as hell won't remember all those ingredients."

[The Dean]

3 minutes ago, msw2112 said:

While there's probably nothing here (as mentioned above, refs have families, kids, grandkids, etc. who are fans and might like a player), it still is a bad look and shouldn't happen.  This official should be fined or suspended or terminated.

 

Not to mention there's a possibility it isn't for anyone he even knows. Perhaps a disabled fan who really wanted an Evans autograph, for example.  It looks like two officials running to Evans, one handing something to the other, before Evans signs.  Like could be on a mission for someone. One can simply assume the worst, or think of possibilities that put the action in a better light. The point is, we really have no idea at the moment. It looks like two officials running to Evans, one handing something to the other, before Evans signs. 

 

Maybe just wait for the explanation before damming him for abusing his contact with the player for any personal gain. If that turns out to be the case, then by all means bash the guy. 

 

Now, if you want to say it was handled poorly, potential bad optics, that's fair, IMO.  I'm guessing there was a better way/time/place to go about that. But understand, bad optics aren't nearly as bad as bad actions.  It would behoove the league to issue a statement ASAP to address this, IMO.

[Dablitzkrieg]

33 minutes ago, RoyBatty is alive said:

Aria Foster was a very strange dude, anything he did doesn't shock me.

Who?

[nucci]

1 hour ago, Dablitzkrieg said:

Who?

You really didn't know who he meant?

[DrDawkinstein]

 

This makes more sense.

 

All I need to hear is that the ref went to A&M. THAT is already a bigger conflict of interest than asking for an autograph considering how tight that Aggie Alumni network stays. It makes absolute sense why those two would be talking and chumming it up.

 

Much ado about nothing.

 

edit: Some of my favorite comments:

 

"He probably asking Evans to sign the petition to get Jimbo fired"

"Tampa receivers already planning for the offseason"

🤣

Edited October 25, 2022 by DrDawkinstein

[Rochesterfan]

People should just be ashamed of themselves for jumping to immediate conclusions and firing a referee for nothing.

 

I just do not get the rush to judgement in society today - everyone in the media wants to be first to report things without even knowing what they are reporting on.

 

Just make a few assumptions and fit it to your images.

 

 

[PetermansRedemption]

While there seems to be nothing here, perception is everything. These guys have been around for too long and get paid far too much to even give the illusion of a conflict of interest. Everyone is recording everything these days. If it can at all be perceived wrong, someone will. 

[LDD]

8 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

People should just be ashamed of themselves for jumping to immediate conclusions and firing a referee for nothing.

 

I just do not get the rush to judgement in society today - everyone in the media wants to be first to report things without even knowing what they are reporting on.

 

Just make a few assumptions and fit it to your images.

 

 

Well, the NFL has created their own monster.  It is SO much more than a game.  If there is anything that even remotely appears to be susceptible to criticism, IT WILL BE CRITICIZED.  This is not some beer league adventure, there are billions of dollars now riding on this enterprise and with the embrace of gambling by the NFL and the country, it's only going to get worse.  

IMO...the refs should have ZERO contact with the players at any point, especially off the field.  Refs and players hanging out with a Fan Duel rep at a golf match??  Yeah, good idea.  

[Rochesterfan]

1 minute ago, LDD said:

Well, the NFL has created their own monster.  It is SO much more than a game.  If there is anything that even remotely appears to be susceptible to criticism, IT WILL BE CRITICIZED.  This is not some beer league adventure, there are billions of dollars now riding on this enterprise and with the embrace of gambling by the NFL and the country, it's only going to get worse.  

IMO...the refs should have ZERO contact with the players at any point, especially off the field.  Refs and players hanging out with a Fan Duel rep at a golf match??  Yeah, good idea.  

 

Totally disagree - someone saw this happen and created a story to fit the video without ever asking what really happened.

 

The Refs, players, league officials and team officials all have lives outside the NFL and sometimes those paths intersect - whether it is common friends, mutual acquaintances, or guys from college - everything should not automatically be seen as improper contact.

 

The fact that someone took a video and then created a scenario for that video created a ton of issues that were cleared up in 20 seconds by getting the actual story.  If these guys get together for some Texas A&M alumni event - I could not care less as they both have lives outside the NFL.

 

If gambling is the issue - maybe people should stop putting money on a game they do not trust or that they think is fixed.

 

 

[DrDawkinstein]

14 minutes ago, Rochesterfan said:

 

Totally disagree - someone saw this happen and created a story to fit the video without ever asking what really happened.

 

The Refs, players, league officials and team officials all have lives outside the NFL and sometimes those paths intersect - whether it is common friends, mutual acquaintances, or guys from college - everything should not automatically be seen as improper contact.

 

The fact that someone took a video and then created a scenario for that video created a ton of issues that were cleared up in 20 seconds by getting the actual story.  If these guys get together for some Texas A&M alumni event - I could not care less as they both have lives outside the NFL.

 

If gambling is the issue - maybe people should stop putting money on a game they do not trust or that they think is fixed.

 

 

 

I tend to agree more with LDD that this is the monster the NFL has created, but for different reasons. By being such media whores and wanting to dominate the air waves always being on TV or Radio, or social media. By being so shady in their league office practices. And by having seemingly zero accountability for poor officiating.

 

I dont think they should try to restrict any and all player/ref contact. But they shouldnt be surprised if/when a "story" like this catches fire. I'm sure Roger appreciates the clicks and isnt losing sleep over it.