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Gators DT Brendan Bett apologizes for spitting on USF player, costly penalty

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels09/09/25ChandlerVessels

Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett has issued an apology for his behavior in Saturday’s loss to USF. Bett was ejected late in the fourth quarter after spitting on an opposing player.

Monday, he took the opportunity to reflect on his actions and issue a statement via social media. He also apologized directly to Bulls offensive lineman Cole Skinner, the player he spat on.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions in the game this past Saturday,” he wrote. “I let down my teammates, coaches, family and all of Gator nation. Our coaches always instill in us the value of sportsmanship and I crossed the line.

“I also want to apologize to South Florida. That’s not the person or player I strive to be. I made a terrible mistake and it won’t happen again. To Cole Skinner #56, there is no excuse for my actions. I’m truly sorry to both you and your family.”

In addition to being ejected, Brendan Bett was also flagged for a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. That ended up being costly as USF would go on to kick the game-winning field goal on that drive as time expired. There was a little more than two minutes remaining at the time of Bett’s ejection.

Gators coach Billy Napier told reporters Monday that he had not yet made a decision on whether Bett would be suspended for an upcoming game against LSU in Week 3. But he did outline what the defensive lineman has done to show his remorse, hinting that the apology was coming.

“There’ll be some internal discipline,” Napier said. “Obviously, he was suspended (against South Florida). And, you know, he’ll have an opportunity today to apologize to the team and he’s going to apologize publicly. We’re even having him reach out to the young man on the other team. So, no stone unturned here in terms of maximizing this for him to learn, and also, I think, for our other players to see how to take ownership of a mistake, you know, and go about this the right way.”

The apology from Bett is definitely a good start, but he’ll also have to prove he has learned from his mistakes with his actions going forward. He made a promise that he would do just that.

“I know that my actions didn’t reflect the way I was raised and I regret the disappointment I caused,” Bett continued in his apology. “I take full responsibility. I pray that we can all move forward. Thanks for believing in me and I won’t let you down again.”