Player A spits in Player B's face. Player B retaliates by a) slapping player A with an open palm or b) making a fist and punching player A.

I would judge player A as committing flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct and ejecting him. Do you send the player B to the showers too?



PS--for those who missed it, in the NFL game, the Washington player spit, the Tampa player slapped, and the Washington player was ejected, while nothing called on the slapper.

When I saw the play I didn't see the "spit." I saw the hit to the face mask. Then they called the penalty on ther other team, I was like what?? What about the punch? I agree the second player should be penalized for his actions too.

I'm shocked, SHOCKED, that a Miami alum would do something like that.

Apply NCAA rules.... they are both gone.

And the TV clowns (Joe T I think) could not believe that the call was on the Redskin player. He said it was the worst call he'd seen. Later they found out what happened and the universe was back in balance!!

It is crazy some of the stupid things they say!!!!

I work NFL rules, and spitting is an automatic ejection, but so is throwing a punch. I guess Mike Carey thought it was not enough of a punch to get the ejection, especially after being spit on.

NFHS: No brainer - both players are ejected - 15 yarders on each.

Only justification for not penalizing player #2 I can think of was that the ref felt it was an instinctive response to the flagrant foul of being spit upon. While I can understand the player's response, I'm not sure I can condone ignoring the retaliation.