After Steelers cornerback Jalen Rams ey was spat on in Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals by receiver Ja'Marr Chase, it brought on a lot of criticism from fans and observers. As is typically the case in these incidents, there was an automatic uproar.
The panel on the Pat McAfee Show discussed how it was never the right reaction to hawk a loogie at a fellow player, and what the ultimate punishment might be. They even laughed at how Chase's true retribution could come during the offseason. But first, McAfee explored Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin's reaction to the unsportsmanlike act.
"Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey, obviously, the situation we're referring to," McAfee said, before playing up the drama. "[Tomlin] was asked about 'spitgate', the sullying of the sport by spitting happening in between the lines... He was asked about what his message was to the team."
MORE: Steelers' Mike Tomlin offers reaction to Ja'Marr Chase spitting on Jalen Ramsey
McAfee then cued up an audio clip of what the 18-year head coach said to the media when asked about the on-field occurrence.
"I have no message if someone spits in your face," Tomlin said. "Do what comes natural."
Did Pat McAfee feel the punishment fit the crime?
McAfee then said he felt Tomlin's reaction was: "If you want to get punched in the face? Then spit in somebody's face."
"It feels like everybody in sports views spitting the exact same way... It's something you don't do, unless you want to get into a fight."
One of his fellow panelists described it as a "line you don't cross", a message which McAfee agreed on and echoed.
"I guess you can bait a fight immediately if you want to spit in somebody's face, and that's the sad part of it all."