A Devastating Plane Crash in Louisville Has the NFL Pausing — and One Player Walking Away From the Game.QQ
Green Bay, Wisconsin, November 10, 2025
The Green Bay Packers have confirmed that rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden will not play in tonight’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, after learning that a close family member was seriously injured in the recent UPS Airlines Flight 2976 plane crash in Louisville, Kentucky.
The tragic accident occurred on November 4, 2025, when UPS Airlines Flight 2976, a McDonnell Douglas MD-11F cargo plane, crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. The incident claimed 14 lives and injured 15 others, sending shockwaves across the nation.
A personal tragedy amid an intense NFL season
Golden, 22, was a first-round pick (No. 23 overall) in the 2025 NFL Draft and has been a promising rookie presence for the Packers, recording 23 receptions for 262 yards so far. However, team officials stated that he has requested a leave of absence to be with his family, as one of his relatives remains in critical condition at a Louisville hospital.
“Matthew is going through an incredibly difficult time right now. Our entire organization is praying for him and his family,” head coach Matt LaFleur said during the pregame press conference.
“Football can wait. Family always comes first.”
The crash that stunned America
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the cargo aircraft crashed after its left engine detached during takeoff, causing the wing to catch fire before striking a nearby warehouse and fuel storage area. All three crew members on board were killed, along with 11 people on the ground, including a three-year-old child. At least 15 others were injured, most of them working in the nearby industrial zone.
Golden is believed to have a family member employed near the crash site, close to the UPS Supply Chain warehouse. Sources say he received the devastating news shortly after yesterday’s practice and immediately left Wisconsin to fly home to Kentucky overnight.
Teammates rally around their rookie
Several Packers players, including Jordan Love and Christian Watson, expressed their support on X (Twitter):
“The Packers family is with you, Matt. You’re not alone in this.”
A game overshadowed by grief
Tonight’s Packers vs Eagles matchup was expected to be one of Week 10’s highlights, but the atmosphere has turned somber. Golden, known for his elite 4.29-second 40-yard dash speed, will remain away from the team indefinitely as his family continues to recover from the tragedy.
While the Packers prepare to take the field, fans in Green Bay and across the league are united in one hope, for good news to come out of Louisville, where a young player and his family are holding on with faith and strength.
