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Cowboys Starter Learns of Family Tragedy After Win Over Jets as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville

Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman Cooper Beebe is mourning a devastating family loss just hours after celebrating the team’s Week 5 victory over the New York Jets. His cousin,

Justin Fuller, a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.

Fuller, 35, was killed after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump coordinated by

 

Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was rescued by firefighters.

Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered from a wooded clearing off Ashland City Highway. The

Nashville Fire Department praised its crews for executing “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in years.”

Fuller was a veteran of over 5,000 jumps and had trained U.S. military personnel

 

in advanced aerial operations. Known by his nickname “Spidey,” he was admired for his precision, composure, and passion for mentoring young skydivers.

 

Beebe, whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up close to his cousin. Family members say Fuller’s discipline and dedication left a lasting mark on Beebe’s mindset both on and off the field.

A relative told local reporters, “Justin taught Cooper that true toughness isn’t about strength — it’s about purpose, duty, and protecting those beside you. That’s how he played his life, and that’s how Cooper plays the game.”

 

 

Beebe, a rookie starter at guard and center, has quickly become a cornerstone of the Cowboys’ offensive line — praised for his power, technique, and maturity beyond his years. His performance against the Jets was another showcase of quiet consistency and leadership.

 

The Cowboys organization is aware of Beebe’s loss and has offered private support while the team shifts its focus toward Week 6 preparations. Players and coaches have reportedly rallied around the young lineman during this difficult time.

The FAA is investigating the accident, while tributes to Fuller — under the nickname “Spidey” — have flooded social media from military peers, skydivers, and fans across the country.

“He taught others to fly — now he’s flying higher than all of us,”

 

one tribute read.

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Cowboys Reunite with a Former Starter, Bolstering a Battle-Tested Defense for the Stretch Run
Dallas, TX – In a surprising yet strategic move, the Dallas Cowboys have officially signed linebacker Luke Gifford on the afternoon of October 8, 2025, just hours after the San Francisco 49ers decided to cut the veteran. The one-year, $3.5 million deal (with performance bonuses up to $1.5 million) marks an emotional homecoming for Gifford to the franchise that launched his career, while also plugging an urgent hole in Dallas’ linebacker depth after multiple injuries out of Week 5.   Gifford, 29, was a reliable glue piece for the Cowboys from 2019 to 2022—an undrafted gem who carved out his role on special teams and situational defense in the star and stripes. After leaving Dallas, he spent time with the Tennessee Titans (2023) and 49ers (2024–2025), earning a reputation as a smart, assignment-sound linebacker who can play WILL/SAM and contribute immediately on kick coverage and sub-packages.   With San Francisco this year, Gifford appeared in four games before Tuesday night’s roster shuffle left him as the odd man out. Dallas pounced. “Luke knows our standard and our language,” head coach Mike McCarthy said after practice. “He’s tough, dependable, and versatile. Given where our linebacker room is right now, he’s exactly the kind of veteran who can stabilize us fast.”   For the Cowboys—leading the NFC East at 4–1 but juggling availability at linebacker—this is timely triage and culture reinforcement. Defensive coaches value Gifford’s communication and angles in space; special teams coordinator notes he can step in on all four core units immediately. Gifford, moments after signing, posted on X: “Back where it started. Let’s work. #HowBoutThemCowboys #DC4L”   Cowboys Nation erupted online as #GiffordReturns trended across the Metroplex, with many fans framing it as a subtle flex against the 49ers—Dallas’ recent playoff nemesis. NFL Network panels speculated Gifford could suit up as early as this weekend if paperwork clears, logging early snaps on special teams and dime looks while the staff ramps him into the defensive packages.   Beyond the depth chart math, the message is clear: Dallas is moving decisively to protect its defensive identity and keep the NFC East lead. If Gifford brings the same reliability and edge-setting discipline he showed in his first stint, the Cowboys may have found the steadying piece they needed for a stretch run.   Can Luke Gifford’s homecoming spark a sturdier second level and help Dallas tighten the screws in crunch time? We’ll know soon enough. #CowboysNation #DallasCowboys #HowBoutThemCowboys