Le'Ron McClain: Did the Ravens FB Spit in Miami LB Channing Crowder's Face?

Before Sunday’s contest between the Miami Dolphins (4-4) and Baltimore Ravens (6-2) got underway, there was no shortage of chatter between the two clubs.

Most of the talk was directed towards Baltimore’s 14-year pro WR Derrick Mason, Miami LB Channing Crowder being the instigator in this case.

Crowder called Mason “the old guy” during an interview with South Florida reporters when he mentioned other Ravens wide receivers.

“They have amazing receivers outside,” Crowder said. “We know Boldin, Houshmandzadeh and old, what the hell’s the other guy’s name?”

Given the fact that Mason is 10 years older than Crowder, or “Chowder,” as Mason referred to the six-year linebacker out of the University of Florida, maybe Mason really does appear as an old man to the Miami linebacker.

The incident in question came on a play when the Ravens called a timeout. Crowder, who was caught off-guard, ended up wandering around in the Ravens backfield for no apparent reason.

Ravens FB Le’Ron McClain started shouting words at Crowder for showing disrespect toward Baltimore’s side of the football.

McClain did have a point, since most teams discuss game plans while gathered on their side of the ball. Crowder had no business wandering out of his territory, trying to rile-up the opposing team.

In the same time span, Crowder strutted over to McClain and the two players ended up in a verbal altercation. Shortly thereafter, Crowder lifted his left hand and appeared to wipe something out of his eye. 

All of this took place while a referee was standing in between the two players.

When asked by the media if any spit was directed at Crowder, referees admitted to seeing no such thing occur during the argument. Crowder remained livid at the fact that McClain allegedly spit in his face and later took his curse-ridden remarks to the locker room after the Ravens' 26-10 win.

The Miami press took the question to Crowder in the Dolphins locker room and the Miami linebacker wasn’t short for words, even as bizarre as his statements were—statements that contained even more bizarre references to Anne Frank, Helen Keller and Stevie Wonder—all ignorant references that made Crowder sound like a third-grade nothing.

Crowder said, “Le’Ron McClain spit in my face. He spit in my face. That’s some real ho s---.  So if you talk to him, go tell him. And if he ever comes to Miami, he’s got to see me.” 

Other hate-filled rhetoric spilled from the mouth of Crowder during the interview with the press. However, due to excessive expletives, it's better left off this report.

The Baltimore press confronted McClain about the alleged incident in the Ravens locker room.

McClain said, “We got into a little head-butt competition, but no spit, man. Probably me talking, I don’t know. But all the spitting and all that ain’t my game. I play ball between the whistles. I guess he’s a little frustrated. That’s all it is.”

McClain has a point when it comes to Crowder’s frustration. Crowder was pulled from the game several times after missing some assignments, so frustration could have played a key role in Crowder’s allegations towards McClain.

Mason was quick to McClain’s defense after the game when asked about the same alleged incident by the Baltimore press.

"You have to be able in this sport to be able to back-up what you talk, and for some reason this guy every time he says something he doesn't back it up," Mason said. "He's not a marquee player. I don't think they even want him on this team, but they have no one to replace him. So he has to be there.

"He's in the game, and he's getting knocked down. He's getting pushed out of the way. The guy is horrible. Honestly, the guy is horrible. He's probably a good guy. Not taking that away from him, but he's horrible. He's not a good football player. Honestly, he needs to go back and watch the film and humble himself and not say anything."

According to the NFL, Roger Goodell will look into the alleged incident early this week. 

In the end, the NFL will have a tough time finding any wrongdoing on the part of McClain, since not one official on the field witnessed any such action.

Writer’s Opinion

It’s very easy for a player like Channing Crowder, who has some anger issues, to become frustrated when the game isn’t going his way. 

The benching he received during the game for poor performance didn’t help his demeanor, either.

Crowder talked a lot of trash before the game, and neither he nor the Dolphins were able to back up any of the talk.

When players bark at each other on the field, it’s not uncommon for saliva to fly in the process. If some excess saliva indeed hit Crowder’s face because of McClain’s shouting, obviously, it was purely incidental.

This case is nothing more than an average player, at best, who was unhappy with his level of play—and the entire Dolphins team for that matter.

The NFL will find nothing in their investigation into the matter, and this case will quickly be put to rest.

Todd McGregor is a Baltimore Ravens Featured Columnist here on BleacherReport.com

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