Miami Dolphins safety Bobby McCain faces discipline from the team and a police investigation after he allegedly spit in the face of a Buffalo fan after Sunday's loss to the Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y.
The Buffalo News reported McCain also threatened to spit in the face a 13-year-old boy who heckled him prior to the game.
The Erie County Sheriff's Office is investigating the incident.
"It's a serious allegation," Undersheriff Mark Wipperman, the incident commander for Bills home games, told the newspaper. "It's gross."
Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores said McCain will face discipline from the team. Flores said he discussed the incident with McCain prior to Monday's practice.
"Him and I have a pretty open dialog and I heard his side of the story," Flores told Miami-area reporters. "It's unfortunate. I feel like he needed to handle that situation better. We're going to discipline Bobby for that. We'll handle that discipline internally."
McCain declined comment on Monday.
Bills fan Dylan Wentland said after the game McCain spit in his face. The 28-year-old had chided McCain prior to the game for his threats toward the 13-year-old boy, who shouted "You're irrelevant!" at the 26-year-old McCain.
"He's the nicest kid in the world. He's sat behind us for years with his dad. He was just having a good time," Wentland, a 15-year season ticket holder, told the Buffalo News. "I go, 'Dude, what's wrong with you? What kind of role model are you for the kid?'"
After the game ended, McCain approached the area and made his way toward Wentland.
"I haven't even said a word to him," Wentland said. "He runs right up to me and spits in my face and then runs down the tunnel. I mean literally wound up, hocked and just spit right in my face while I'm standing there."
Wipperman said no security members witnessed the incident. However, several fans saw McCain spit in Wentland's face and provided statements to deputies.
Flores didn't say if McCain's punishment would include playing time but made it clear he was disappointed with how the situation was handled.
"We take those very seriously," Flores said. "There is a standard we're trying to set here of professionalism, the way we go about things. We need to live up to that standard, and we're going to."
McCain has one interception in five games this season and five in five seasons with Miami.
--Field Level Media