Ray Perkins, coach of the Tampa Bay...

Ray Perkins, coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, confirmed a reported altercation with offensive tackle Ron Heller at halftime of a game last season, admitting that he had hit Heller.

Perkins responded to a television report that the coach and Heller had exchanged punches at halftime of a game at New Orleans Dec. 6.

“There was not an exchange of punches because he didn’t punch back,” Perkins said. “After the game, I thanked him for not punching me because I probably would have ended up in the hospital.”

Perkins, who broke two fingers hitting Heller’s helmet, said that his action had been triggered by the word quit, which Heller used during a pep talk to teammates.

“Over my right shoulder I heard the word: ‘Quit. Let’s don’t quit.’ I just turned and attacked,” Perkins said. “There was not a fight.”