PFWA Pool Reporter Mark Long Interview with Referee Ron Torbert
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Question: How did the officiating crew arrive at the decision to eject Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Jaguars defensive end Bryan Thomas Jr. on the opening kickoff?
Torbert: “They were disqualified for continuous non-football actions after the play was over.”
Question: Why did the acts rise above a simple offsetting penalty into ejections?
Torbert: “Because they were continuous and non-football actions.”
Question: No punches were thrown or anything like that? They just kept going at each other there at the end?
Torbert: “I personally did not see punches thrown.”
Question: Did you get help from replay?
Torbert: “No, but by rule, AMGC (Art McNally Gameday Central in New York) confirms all ejections, so they confirm the ejections, but we did not get help from replay on that.”
Question: Could you have done that?
Torbert: “There was no need to.”
Question: Players from both sidelines ran onto the field. Was there any consideration for additional penalties on that?
Torbert: “No.”