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.