Florida
Florida’s Brendan Bett apologizes for spitting on USF’s Cole Skinner during game
Florida defensive lineman Brendan Bett issued a public apology Monday night, two days after spitting on a USF player in the Bulls’ 18-16 upset win in Gainesville.
In a social media post, Bett said he let down his “teammates, coaches, family and all of our Gator Nation.”
“Our coaches always instill in us the value of sportsmanship and I crossed the line,” he wrote.
Bett also specifically apologized to South Florida and to the player he spat on, offensive lineman Cole Skinner.
“There is no excuse for my actions,” he wrote to Skinner. “I’m truly sorry to both you and your family. I know that my actions didn’t reflect the way I was raised and I regret the disappointment I caused.
“I take full responsibility. I pray that we can all move forward. Thanks for believing in me and I won’t let you down again.”
Bett’s actions drew an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the Bulls’ final drive. The 15 free yards helped USF advance for the game-winning 20-yard field goal as time expired. The “Bull spit” moment was the type of self-inflicted mistake coach Billy Napier was hired to fix; instead, it became an unmistakable error that dropped Napier’s Florida record to 20-20 two games into his fourth season.
In his weekly Monday news conference, Napier said Bett would have the opportunity to apologize to the team and reach out to Skinner. Napier also said the move was uncharacteristic for Bett, a transfer from Baylor.
“I think that the kid is remorseful,” Napier said. “I think he feels as if he let the team down. … He made a mistake, and he compromised the team. He made a selfish decision. He misrepresented our fans, our alumni, the university. When a young man comes into your office, and that’s his immediate concern, is how he didn’t represent this place the right way, I think that’s a good indication of his attitude towards it.”
Napier said Bett would face internal discipline, but that the Gators have not yet decided whether he will be suspended. Florida (1-1) opens SEC play Saturday at No. 3 LSU.
(Photo: Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports)
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
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