The NFL assigned a controversial referee to Chiefs-Texans

By foxsports
Published

Two-year refereeing veteran Ronald Torbert caught flak for failing to recognize an eligibility signal that might've cost the Ravens a win in Week 7.

But the league decided that Torbert's entire body of work was worthy of a playoff job. They've assigned him to the Kansas City Chiefs-Houston Texans game on Saturday at NRG Stadium. 

Torbert caught flak for failing to identify Ravens guard John Urschel's signal. He instead flagged Urschel's team for an illegal formation call that made head coach John Harbaugh furious. 

He'll be the most junior ref in action this weekend. The others  -- John Parry (Steelers-Bengals), Walt Coleman (Seahawks-Vikings) and Gene Steratore (Packers-Redskins) -- have a combined 36 refereeing seasons.

Torbert was chosen based on a ratings system for the regular season. The NFL is using mixed crews throughout the playoffs and for the Super Bowl this season.