Sports can drive you spitting mad.
In honor of Garnet Hathaway’s assault via loogie, here is a list of iconic spitting moments in professional sports.
First, the inspiration for the list:
Garnet Hathaway: The Spitting Cobra
Sadly, this incident completely overshadows a tremendous shift by the Capitals Brendan Leipsic. The forward’s grit and determination were responsible for the Capitals goal — and skirmish immediately afterwards. I argue that Hathaway wouldn’t have spit if the referee’s let Eric Gudbranson have his say. As you can see at the 20-second mark, Hathaway easily dispatches Derek Grant to the ice, showing that if called upon, Hathaway can handle his business.
However, it seems as if Gary Bettman this season has put extra emphasis on referees inserting themselves into fights to avoid players doling out justice as they see fit. If the two were allowed to dance this could have been avoided. Gudbranson snuck in a cheap one and Hathaway reacted. Unfortunately, we couldn’t see them settle it the old way.
Hathaway has since been suspended by the NHL for three games.
Rajon Rondo’s phantom spit
This was a controversial one on the list. Modern technology has not advanced to the point where the spit in question can physically be seen. Without a smoking gun, better yet a mucus missile, this incident is still up for debate. Due to Chris Paul’s immediate reaction I do believe that a bit of saliva did strike Paul’s face — whether intentional or not.
In the end the only people who will ever know are Paul, Rondo, and probably Eric Gordon.
Bill Romanowski
“When emotions are high, logic is low.”
Easily the most notorious and egregious case on this list comes thanks to the ex-NFL linebacker. As described in the video, some in the media suggested the spit to be a racially motivated attack on J.J. Stokes. This only gave more fuel to the dirty narrative that has clouded Romo’s entire career.
World Cup Air-raid Offense
This splattering reminded me a lot of the scene from the movie Boyz In The Hood where Ricky was killed in a driveby shooting. Due to copyright issues, I cannot show the original movie clip, but I thought a fortnight shot-for-shot reenactment would do the job. I apologize in advance.
The audacity of Frank Rijkaard to spit on Rudi Völler not once, but twice, is absolutely hysterical. To add insult to injury, notice how nonchalantly Rijkaard jogs past Völler as his first projectile drills him, without breaking stride.
The arrogance of the second attack is to the likes of which I have never seen. If only the invention of High Definition was available so we could witness the loogie hanging from Völler’s perfectly manicured mullet.
Even worse? The lack of response by Völler, disrespecting all those who carry the mustache and mullet combo.
