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NFL Suspends Referee Ron Torbert After Missed Illegal Formation Calls in Cowboys-Packers Tie

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Arlington, TX 

The NFL has suspended veteran referee Ron Torbert and his crew for one week after failing to penalize repeated illegal formations by the Green Bay Packers during Sunday night’s 40-40 tie with the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas and Green Bay battled through four quarters and overtime in what became the second-highest scoring tie in NFL history. Dak Prescott led a field goal drive in OT, only for Jordan Love to answer late.

With the Packers facing 3rd-and-14 at the Dallas 16-yard line, confusion reigned. Green Bay appeared to line up illegally, yet no flags were thrown. The snap set up a 48-yard, game-tying field goal with one second left.

Video reviews showed left tackle Rasheed Walker and left guard Elgton Jenkins off the line of scrimmage. Under NFL rules, such violations should have triggered a 10-second runoff, ending the game in Dallas’ favor.

Fans erupted online. One wrote: “Packers got away with an illegal formation which should’ve been a penalty requiring a runoff.” Another added: “I guess it’s never getting called in that situation, but sure looked illegal.”

 

Former coach Rex Ryan was blunt on ESPN’s Get Up“They’re not even lined up right… the Packers never looked ready for the moment.” He said officials “let things slide” in the chaotic overtime sequence.

On Monday, the NFL confirmed Torbert’s suspension for an “internal officiating review.” The league also fined the Packers $50,000 for formation violations, underscoring its stance on consistency after weeks of mounting officiating controversies.

The tie leaves Green Bay 2-1-1 and Dallas 1-2-1. The Cowboys now shift focus to the Vikings in Week 4 under referee Carl Cheffers, hoping to avoid more officiating drama as playoff hopes remain fragile.

Eagles Star CB Faces Family Tragedy After Week 5 Game as Military-Trained Skydiving Instructor Dies in Nashville
Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Cooper DeJean is mourning a profound personal loss following the team’s Week 5 game , as his cousin Justin Fuller a respected military-trained skydiving instructor, died in a tragic tandem jump accident near Nashville.   Fuller, 35, was fatally injured after becoming separated from his parachute harness mid-air during a jump organized by Go Skydive Nashville. His student survived after landing in a tree with the parachute deployed and was later rescued by firefighters. Police confirmed Fuller’s body was recovered in a wooded area off Ashland City Highway. The Nashville Fire Department called it “one of the most complex high-angle rescues in recent years,” commending its personnel for the effort. Justin Fuller, known by the nickname "Spidey," died after a tandem skydiving jump went wrong on Oct. 4, 2025, near Nashville, Tennessee.  (Facebook/Justin Fuller Spidey ) Fuller, known affectionately as “Spidey,” had completed more than 5,000 jumps and trained U.S. military personnel in advanced aerial maneuvers. Friends described him as “fearless, focused, and committed to lifting others higher — both in life and in the air.”   DeJean —whose mother is the younger sister of Fuller’s mother, grew up admiring his cousin’s discipline and sense of purpose. Family members say that influence helped shape his mental toughness and leadership on the field. A relative told local media, “Justin taught Dejean that strength isn’t about being unbreakable — it’s about standing firm when life hits hardest. That’s exactly how he lives and plays today.” In the Eagles’ defensive system, DeJean has steadily earned complete trust thanks to his versatility — working outside at corner, in the slot (nickel), and on coverage units — and standing out for top-end speed, precise tackling angles, and the ability to read quarterbacks. Coaches describe him as “calm, wise beyond his years, and disciplined at the catch point,” consistently maintaining leverage and finishing clean in tight spaces. Through the first five games of 2025, DeJean has played every defensive snap and totaled 36 tackles (26 solo) with five passes defensed, reinforcing his value on the perimeter and inside.  The Philadelphia Eagles have provided time and private support for DeJean and his family, ensuring he can grieve without team-related obligations. Teammates have stood beside him, honoring both his resilience and his family’s tradition of service. An FAA investigation into the accident is underway, while tributes to “Spidey” continue to pour in across social media from military colleagues, fellow skydivers, and fans nationwide.“He taught others to fly — now he flies higher than all of us,” one tribute read. DeJean kept his public remarks brief before being embraced by teammates:“He taught me not to fear the height — only the moment you forget to look down and pull someone else up with you. This week, I’m playing for him.”