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If he really did spit on Clark, then I'd say that the Louisville receiver deserved that head butt.

However, "deserved" has nothing to do with it. It's almost always the guy who retaliates who gets in more trouble.

Two figures come to mind when it comes to trying to provoke another player.

In the NBA, Dennis Rodman was one of the best at constantly assaulting other basketball players on the court, and then pulling off the big flop when they simply pushed him away, drawing the technical foul.

In the NFL, there was a journeyman running back named Adam Walker, who would frequently try to gouge out another player's eyes, or flat-out kick them in the junk. As soon as the recipient of his dirty tricks shoved him back, the zebras would toss the yellow flag for unsportsmanlike conduct.