WATCH: Referee spits out blood after trying to stop Jets and Dolphins players from fighting mid-game

Referee Carl Paganelli ended up with bloody mouth after being hit by a Jets player.

WATCH: Referee spits out blood after trying to stop Jets and Dolphins players from fighting mid-game

Referee spits blood after getting hit during Jets vs Dolphins game on Black Friday (Image via YouTube)

The Black Friday game between the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins saw the referee get hit in the face, two players ejected, and the MetLife turf claimed another victim. Not to mention, it marked the first start for Tim Boyle as the Jets quarterback.

The first half went by in a jiffy, but it picked up pace with the Dolphins, with Tyreek Hill scoring his 10th touchdown of the season. Then a Boyle hail Mary was intercepted by Jevon Holland, who completed a 99-yard pick-6. 

YouTube video

Miami continued to dominate the gang green in their backyard, but the Jets had a couple of moments of their own. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was picked off twice on the night. First by Brandin Echols, which turned into a pick-6 of their own. And then D.J. Reed nabbed one in the fourth quarter.

FS Video

Running back Raheem Mostert made sure that the Jets didn’t get a foothold in the game, increasing Miami’s lead to 27-6 early in the fourth with a 13-yard run. Then came the moment when both sides got involved in a fracas for the extra point following Mostert’s touchdown.

https://twitter.com/SICscore/status/1728183972205928774

A mini-brawl erupted, and players started pushing and shoving each other. Amidst all the chaos, Jets defensive lineman Michael Clemons pointed his arm at the Dolphins’s offensive guard, Lester Cotton.

Unfortunately, Clemons’ flailing arm hit referee Carl Paganelli in the face. The camera zoomed in to show that Paganelli was spitting blood after the blow.

New York Jets’ Michael Clemons was ejected

Following the hit, referee Paganelli threw his hat to catch attention. Fortunately, besides a slight bruise and a couple of bloody spits, the 63-year-old was okay to continue.

WATCH: Referee spits out blood after trying to stop Jets and Dolphins players from fighting mid-game Carl Paganelli
Carl Paganelli (Image via FOX Sports)

Despite the fact that Clemons was apologetic after realizing what he had done, Paganelli’s next course of action was to eject him from the game and award a 15-yard penalty to the Jets. He wasn’t the only one to have an early shower that night. Dolphins lineman Austin Jackson got the chop as well for his role in the skirmish.

Considering how harsh the NFL committee has been this season on punishing players, Clemons could face a hefty fine. The worst-case scenario will be the suspension of a few games—not that his absence would matter much. The New York franchise’s season is more than likely over, as the Black Friday game defeat was their 7th loss of the 2023 season.

In case you missed it: