For arguement sake, let's look at a no-name respected receiver who does his job, and serves his community and team well. He is being closeley guarded by a pro-bowl caliber corner during a game where both are constantly jawing at each each other after every play, blah, blah, blah. "Spittle" gets exchanged because of endless banter and one player takes it for deliberate spit while the other just got carried away with words with "P's" in them and does not realize what happened. Later he finds out what happened, apologizes and is truly embarassed by the incident. For THIS receiver, the explanation is plausible, likely and the deed is basically forgiven.

Since this is T.O. and because of his history in wrecking his 2 previous teams, his credibility is zilch. Do not take this as an excuse for T.O. because he is reaping what he has sewn and deserves no "benefit of the doubt" even if the "spit" was an accidental result of mindless banter. Too bad he is too stupid to figure out credibility and respect are earned, and he will never get the benefit of the doubt because of his history.

Good points.

I realize that accidental spitting can occur. I also think Hall would have realized the difference between an accident and something intentional. Given how early it was in the game, that T.O. basically changed his story over the next few days, and yes, everything else you've brought up here about his credibility in the past, it's unlikely that anyone would believe him.

Here's what it all boils down to - T.O. never believes that anything is his fault. We as a nation are a pretty forgiving group of people, when someone comes out openly and admits a mistake and blames no one but themselves. But when they either deny it, or throw up heavy rationalizations, we'll rarely ever trust that person again. That's basically what happened wiht Pete Rose.