NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jeffery Simmons didn't deny or admit to Marshal Yanda's accusation that he spit on him in the Titans' 28-12 win in Baltimore on Saturday night.
But Yanda's charge carries less heft -- victim or not -- considering he himself has been caught on film spitting on a player in the past.
.@GrindSimmons94 on @YandaMarshal’s accusation that the #Titans’ rookie spit on him. #Ravens. pic.twitter.com/jpetCo8DgZ
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) January 15, 2020
Saturday night Yanda went in detail as he spoke to Ravens media about Simmons. [Unlocked]
"No. 98 Simmons for the Titans, I had that guy spit in my face," Yanda said, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. "I just want to put him on notice in the media. I've never done this in my career, but I just want to let you know that there's a right way and a wrong way to play football. That guy did not do it the right way."
"I've never been spitten in my face. I literally got spit right in my face by No. 98. He needs to be put on notice by the refs, by the entire NFL. He was saying some stuff today that's just ridiculous conduct for the NFL. I just want to put him on notice. That was ridiculous conduct."
Yanda did not mention how he spit on Vontaze Burfict when he played for the Bengals.
What's your opinion of this? Watch Marshall Yanda. pic.twitter.com/kNGl92LxzQ
— Jeaux Goods (@JoeGoodberry) November 19, 2018
If Simmons is disciplined by the NFL for it, we will learn of that on Saturday.
People are asking for visual evidence. We've heard all sorts of stories about the sort of grabbing, twisting, gouging and behavior that goes on at the bottom of piles in NFL games. I don't doubt that bodily fluids can part of things in close quarters too and that it wouldn't always be captured on camera.
That doesn't make it acceptable.
"I've been spit on -- I'm sure it's been directed at me," Taylor Lewan said. "I played a little dodge ball when I was younger so I got out of the way. That stuff happens, man. I mean we're all sweating all over each other anyway, I don't think any more fluid matters...
"I spent a lot of time with Yanda, he's a standup guy and he is an awesome person. Knowing Jeffery for as long as I have I don't see him as a player who would do that, he plays really hard, I don't see him as a player who would do a lot of talking or spitting. I have a lot of respect for both of those guys."
