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National Coordinator of Officials explains ejection of Florida's Brendan Bett for spitting on USF player

Untitled design (2)by: Sam Gillenwater4 hours agosamdg_33
Florida DL Brendan Bett
Matt Pendleton | USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

It’s not as though there needs to be an explanation as to why spitting on someone else is wrong. Still, recapping plays from week two, Steve Shaw, the National Coordinator of Officials at the NCAA, broke down the ejection of Florida’s Brendan Bett for what he did during the fourth quarter of their loss to USF.

Posted by SEC Officiating, Shaw explained six plays from last weekend related to officiating. However, again, Bett’s ejection, which he highlighted in the third clip on the reel, didn’t need much thought for what was clearly a flag for flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct.

“We’re going to have a flag by our center judge well after the play. Now, we see the center judge and referee; they converse, and then we’re going to get an announcement from our referee. As we go back and look at the replay, we see the defender; he’s going to spit on an opponent. And this act would qualify as a flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct foul and, by rule, flagrant offenders are ejected,” Shaw said. “And, remember, an ejected player must leave the playing enclosure, and that’s different than when a player is disqualified for targeting. They do not participate in the game, but they can stay in the team area.”

After spitting on Cole Skinner of USF, Betts was ejected, with his penalty helping to lead to the go-ahead, game-winning field goal for the Bulls to get the two-point victory in Gainesville. He has since spent the week dealing with internal punishments from the program, as Billy Napier said on Monday that Betts, who soon expressed his remorse for that action to the staff, had several apologies to make on both sides. His status for tomorrow’s game at No. 3 LSU, though, is unknown.

Bett apologizes for spitting on player, costly penalty

Earlier this week, Brendan Bett issued an apology for spitting on another player in last weekend’s loss to USF. Bett was ejected late in the fourth quarter after spitting on an opposing player in Cole Skinner, an offensive lineman for the Bulls, leading to a significant penalty as he was flagged for flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct. With that, Betts took the opportunity to reflect on his actions and issued a statement via social media on Monday.

“I want to sincerely apologize for my actions in the game this past Saturday,” Betts 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.”