It’s very rare for a fanbase to actually “like” a referee, or an umpire for that matter. They’re just supposed to do their job, to be impartial and attentive. A good game for a referee is one where they get everything right and attract zero attention to themselves. So if you’ve heard Ron Torbert’s name on social media or in reporting, you know someone’s fuming.

He is perhaps best well known for the comedy of errors that cost the Cincinnati Bengals their Super Bowl Hopes at the AFC Championship Game in January 2023. Early in the 4th quarter of that game, the Bengals had managed to tie with the Chiefs 20-20. On a 3rd-and-9 attempt, the Chiefs failed to convert, but then they essentially got a do-over. It was evidently the result of a clock malfunction that invalidated the play. Legitimate though it may have been, it broke the hearts of Bengals fans after their team lost the neck-and-neck game 23-20.

His recent officiating in the Houston Texans-New England Patriots game has brought him under fire again. The fact his name only ever pops up when something’s apparently gone wrong doesn’t help. One user called out his poor officiating by saying “It really is a weekly thing with Torbert’s crew,” before launching into a laundry list of faults and errors.

Ron Torbert accused of having it out for the Patriots

The New England Patriots lost to the Houston Texans today, and it wasn’t a close run affair. They collapsed to a pathetic 41-21 defeat. At no point did the Patriots come anywhere close to holding the lead. The abysmal performance led to one fan saying “The Patriots are awful, but Ron Tolbert and his band of jesters also need to be fired”

What bad calls, you might ask? The Patriots got called for 9 penalties for 50-yards, while the Texans were hit with 4 for 38-yards. The perceived bias led to one fan saying, “Ron Torbert has been against Patriots football since the Brady era. Get this f—— ref outta the league. There’s no room in the game for bias and bad calls.” Now again, this is a matter of opinion. If the NFL felt convinced by these claims, Torbert wouldn’t have lasted as long as he has.

However, some fans have gone so far as to specify certain calls that have impacted turning points in the game. One fan in particular pointed out the opening touchdown (the point after which the Texans maintained a permanent lead). “It speaks volumes that the #NFL haven’t reposted video of the Pass Interference call against Marte Mapu that preceded this TD. They know that it was a shockingly-bad call by Torbert and his officiating crew.” 

Of course, some fans seemed to have called it even before the game. “What game is Ron Torbert on this week? Keeping my money far away from it,” said one fan in jest, predicting the mess that Torbert’s refereeing would bring. Fans are convinced his behavior is motivated by a desire to occupy the spotlight, win a little screen time, and impose his will on the game.