NFL: Man with Phone in Viral Bears-Commanders Sideline Photo Was Uniform Inspector

The mystery of the unidentified person seemingly taking photos and lurking behind Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Luke Getsy on the sideline during Thursday's game against the Washington Commanders has been solved.

The unidentified person caught the attention of many as he had a Commanders phone case. Some had speculated that he was recording the Bears' play sheet, but that wasn't the case.

Chief NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio via email that the person was a uniform inspector.

"It was one of the two uniform inspectors assigned to the game, Ravin Caldwell," McCarthy said. Caldwell played for Washington from 1987-1992, hence the phone case.

The other uniform inspector was Ricky Ervins, who played for Washington from 1991-94.

The uniform inspectors are tasked with taking photos during the game and uploading them to the NFL's system, according to McCarthy.

The situation was blown out of proportion because Getsy "was well beyond the bench area around the 20 when the broadcast zoomed in on that shot," McCarthy said.

The NFL has long had uniform inspectors on the sidelines during games, and they enforce a dress code for both players and coaches.

For example, Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown was forced to change out of his neon yellow cleats during a Sept. 25 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because they violated the league's dress code.

Back in November 2019, former Cleveland Browns wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry were also required to change out of their cleats with special designs because they violated the dress code policy.

"The NFL represents the highest level of sports," McCarthy told Jonah Engel Bromwich of the New York Times in 2019. "NFL players are required to reflect that high level of professionalism in everything they do on game day. And that applies to the uniform itself."

The uniform inspectors are typically former players who played for the home team or still live in the area. Given the spectacle that ensued on Thursday night, it's possible the league will require inspectors to have neutral gear moving forward.