Carl Paganelli proved he has a tough chin.
The Jets showed more fight against the referees than they did against the Dolphins in their 34-13 loss on Black Friday.
The two teams got into a scuffle after Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders kicked an extra point to extend the team’s lead to 27-6 during the beginning of the fourth quarter of their matchup at MetLife Stadium.
Carl Paganelli spits out blood during the Jets-Dolphins game on Nov. 24, 2023. ScreengrabExcept Jets defensive lineman Micheal Clemons’ swing caught Paganelli, one of the officials who was trying to separate the two teams.
Clemons appeared to be trying to hit Dolphins offensive lineman Lester Cotton, but he ended up smacking Paganelli right in the mouth.
It bloodied Paganelli’s mouth, and he subsequently spit out blood on the field like a boxer in between rounds.
Micheal Clemons makes contact with Carl Paganelli during the Jets-Dolphins game on Nov. 24, 2023. Robert Sabo for NY Post
Micheal Clemons tries to apologize to Carl Paganelli during the Jets-Dolphins game on Nov. 24, 2023. Robert Sabo for NY PostClemons was flagged for making contact with an official and C.J. Mosley was flagged for unnecessary roughness for the melee, and both were enforced since Clemons’ flag involved a referee.
Clemons was ejected from the game, as was Dolphins offensive lineman Austin Jackson.
“He’s pointing and he accidentally hit the referee,” head coach Robert Saleh said of the incident after the game. “It’s still a foul.”
Just last week, Clemons incited a scuffle in the tunnel at Highmark Stadium after the Jets’ loss to the Bills, going after offensive lineman Dion Dawkins after the two got into a scuffle during the game.
Carl Paganelli reacts after being bloodied during the Jets-Dolphins game on Nov. 24, 2023. Robert Sabo for NY PostClemons is in his second season with the Jets after the team drafted him in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
He has not recorded a sack this year and has just 15 total tackles and two tackles for loss.
