NFL determines officials were NOT asking Bucs WR Mike Evans for an autograph after league review

After an investigation, the NFL determined that two umpires who declared last Sunday’s game between the Buccaneers and Panthers were not seeking an autograph from Tampa Bay WR Mike Evans’ Mike Evans.

As DailyMail.com reported yesterday, the league launched a rundown of events after videotaped officials Jeff Lamberth and Tripp Sutter rushed over to Evans with a pen and piece of paper for him to sign.

An NFL statement said: “Following a discussion with those involved, we have confirmed that the post-game interaction between Jeff Lamberth, Tripp Sutter and Mike Evans was not accompanied by a request from game officials for an autograph.

“Both Lamberth and Sutter have been reminded of the importance of avoiding even the appearance of impropriety in interacting with players, coaches and club staff on match day – including during the pre- and post-game periods.”

Further reporting from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero says Evans and Lamberth “both went to Texas A&M and Lamberth got Evans’ phone number to pass it on to a golf professional to teach Evans lessons, according to sources.” Lamberth had no paper, so he borrowed it from another official.’

Under the NFL-NFLRA collective bargaining agreement, officials are prohibited from “asking players, coaches, or other team personnel for autographs or memorabilia.”

It is not clear whether there are rules that determine the punishment for officials seeking signatures.

It is possible that the umpires asked Evans – a Tampa Bay team captain – to sign an official document, such as a score sheet or game notes.

The Buccaneers lost the game to the Panthers 21-3, which came as a shock after falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers the week before.

A reporter in the tunnel of the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte saw officials looking for Mike Evans to sign something for them

Evans dropped a wide open 64-yard touchdown pass on the game’s third play.

“Playing nobody is the only reason you lose, but that was certainly the biggest reason,” Evans said after the game.

‘I’ve seen the life go out of us. It took a while before I could play again. We learned to play the next piece, but it was hard — wide open, one of the best in the game — I have to catch it.’

Evans was referring to star quarterback Tom Brady, who sent out another rallying cry to his team after Sunday’s disappointing loss.

The Bucs dropped below .500 as the Panthers just took their second win of the season.

Evans failed to catch a wide open pass and the Buccaneers fell to the Panthers on Sunday