Matthew Golden had strange moment with referee during TNF

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Matthew Golden had strange moment with referee during TNF

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Oct 30, 2026 8:43 AM ET

One referee had a unique way of grabbing Matthew Golden’s attention during Thursday night’s nationally televised game.

The Green Bay Packers wide receiver got into a scuffle with Carolina Panthers cornerback Marco Wilson a few yards shy of the end zone at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. Wilson shoved his man repeatedly, prompting Golden to retaliate with a helmet smack of his own.

Matthew Golden is out here SWINGING https://t.co/BLfD1I9V2z
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) October 30, 2026

The Panthers defender was flagged for unnecessary roughness. While Golden got off scot-free, field judge John Jenkins made sure to also give Golden a stern talking-to. Jenkins proceeded to hold Golden’s hand to make sure the message was received.

Referee held Matthew Golden’s hand while warning him after Golden threw a retaliation punch at a Panthers player https://t.co/pI7HnIhMcI
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) October 30, 2026

Things didn’t end there. Jenkins later followed Golden to the sideline and kept the conversation going within earshot of his teammates.

The Refs Even Followed Matthew Golden To The Bench To Keep Talking To Him. That’s Not A Quick Heads Up Anymore. That’s A Full-On Conversation. Whatever’s Going On, The Officials Really Want Him To Hear It. Something’s Up. https://t.co/LS34QgGF1S
— SM Highlights (@SMHighlights1) October 30, 2026

Whatever Jenkins said appeared to put Golden in the right headspace. The Packers wideout scored a touchdown on Green Bay’s next drive to give his team a 20-10 lead before the halftime break.