Twitter reacts as Ron Torbert named referee for Cowboys-Packers wild-card game
The Dallas Cowboys are quite familiar with the ways of the flag. The team finished the regular season as the second-most penalized team in the league, tying the Cleveland Browns with 115 assessed. Only the Jets, with 124 penalties, had more. But the volume of laundry thrown their way isn’t the only gripe.
Superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons has inexplicably gone 11 full games without a holding penalty even though it appears he gets held the majority of the contest. Parsons has even gone as far as apologizing to the refs on his podcast in hopes of forcing opposing teams to play him fairly. So when it comes to referee assignments for their playoff run, a keen eye is on alert.
Ron Torbert has been assigned to this week’s Cowboys game against the Packers which elicited a few strong reactions. Torbert and his crew have penalized home teams more often than the visitors, and like most referees in the NFL these days, he’s had his fair share of tumultuous contests. Fans from both teams had interesting things to say about the assignment.
Here are some of the best reactions so far, along with some tweets from disgruntled fans of prior contests.
Do not check the Cowboys record with Ron Torbert in charge 🫣 https://t.co/eANeTHpRZz
— Irish Cowboys (@Irish_Cowboys) January 8, 2024
The Alex Kemp officiating crew was toughest on road teams (119 penalties for 974 yards) this season. The Ron Torbert crew was toughest on home teams (107 for 858).
— Rick Gosselin (@RickGosselin9) January 8, 2024
Ron Torbert giving the packers a free 4th down pic.twitter.com/2nPDvGaSoy
— Gle’Marr Chase (@TysonNoMikeTho) January 8, 2024
ron torbert….. have mercy please https://t.co/TL0X2NdEq0 pic.twitter.com/CaoV9wRcfl
— kyner (@austinkyner_) January 8, 2024
Fun facts
Adrian Hill also officiated the regular season matchup between the Eagles and Bucs.
Clay Martin officiated a Texans game this season vs the Jags that included some questionable calls/no calls.
Ron Torbert has not officiated a Packers or Cowboys game this season. pic.twitter.com/tha2QrcTLu
— The GOAT House (@GoatHouseNFL) January 8, 2024
So for those keeping track, the confirmed NFL Fixer Refs Roster is:
Carl Cheffers
Ron Torbert
Shawn Smith
Brad Allen
John HusseyIn other words, NFL outcomes are rigged.
— Brian (@BrianCinBengals) January 1, 2024
wow dallas paid off roger again
— Philthy Sports Connisuer (@DaBurner42069) January 8, 2024
Ron Torbert was the terrorist that reffed the 2019 game vs GB where they blew 500 calls and was genuinely one of the worst officiated games I’ve ever seen https://t.co/vlU37b4EeV
— Defy (@defytalkcowboys) January 8, 2024
Ron torbert is behind that doo… pic.twitter.com/EP3VCtTEmQ
— BengalsHead (@BengalsHead) January 5, 2024
and another fine mess earlier this monthhttps://t.co/aiH8CbhxtE
— PapaBear (@28Papa_Bear) January 8, 2024
— DK565 | NBA Champions (@BESTINTH3WEST) January 8, 2024
You just don’t give Ron Torbert a playoff game.
— Jordan K (@jordanravens1) January 8, 2024
Oh no no no no not Ron Torbert https://t.co/FZNrujZ5wb
— Brendan Budge (@brendan_budge) January 8, 2024
Looking at how this crew refs. They basically gas out by the second half and their calls drop by 90%
— Carlos (@Spartan156_) January 8, 2024
yeah bro we’re done for
— 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙖𝙯𝙚𝙧🛸(12-5) (@CEEDEE4SIX) January 8, 2024
15 yard penalty on Garrett spiking the challenge flag too
— AJ 🐔 (@AjLucantonio) January 8, 2024
I need to run a background check on this Ron Torbert dude https://t.co/dwG3etzTgP
— average packers hater (@kushonthemic) January 8, 2024
How do Cheffers and Torbert continually get these games?
— Robby Robbins (@rrobbins98) January 8, 2024
RON TORBERT LETS GO TIME FOR THE UNDER
— Luke Newhouse (@LukeNewhouse) January 8, 2024
Referee crews with the most penalties in #NFL 2023 (As of week 18)
Alex Kemp: 214 penalties/1678 yards/249 flags
Land Clark: 210/1810/246
Ron Torbert: 205/1605/236
Tra Blake: 201/1707/229
Brad Rogers: 198/1656/242Click for stats on all refs:https://t.co/6SpE3WWAjy
— NFL Penalty Data (@NFLPenaltiesCom) January 8, 2024
Ruh rohhttps://t.co/UjR8u4aXHa
— The Celestial Cowboy ✭ 🌌 (@StrykarSports) January 8, 2024
AFC Championship MVP Ron Tolbert. pic.twitter.com/TxfMMfKiPQ
— BWray (@BWray80) January 30, 2023
Long before Referee Ron Tolbert was fixing NFL games he played bit parts like in this Seinfeld episode. “I usually get $5 a bag”. “JFK…Honolulu..!#NFLRigged pic.twitter.com/Sxk2SlaPv9
— Marco G (@MarcoRondack) January 30, 2023
I hope Ron Tolbert gets diarrhea on his flight home
— Nick Lombardi (@NF_Lombardi) September 10, 2023
He does these games for a reason. He got the Bungs into the playoffs week 17 of 2021 against the Chiefs. He determines outcomes just like he did last night and just like he did in Cincy week 17 of 2021. Ron even got swapped in last minute for that game.
— Anonymous_KansasCity (@the_kansascity) January 30, 2023
Bengals check must of bounced because Ron Tolbert gave you this game and Burrow wasn't shy about getting some lucky calls. pic.twitter.com/BQUtAtRfgG
— ChiefN_620 (@ChiefN_620) February 17, 2023
Ron Tolbert special. Knew as soon as I saw him. https://t.co/jSgH5WHi2U
— Wyatt Sparkman (@WyattSparkman3) January 30, 2023