What is more "intimidating" in these 2 scenarios?

[Borg]

A comment was made that KVN blew up one of Ole Miss's running backs, and then helped him up, patted him on the helmet and said "good job" before running back to the huddle.

Normally, in today's sporting environment, they stand over them, flex their muscles and scream in the air to the crowd and point at themselves etc.

So, what is more intimidating, the good guy or the bad guy scenario?

To me there is something just totally perplexing and somewhat intimidating when you have a person that just totally blows you up, rings your bell, and as you shake out the cob webs, the dude gives you a hand up, smiles and says "good hit dude, way to go", then trots away. You wonder to yourself if the guy feels pain, and/or is totally there inside!

However, I know that when I got lit up by a 'thug' type dude, it would pretty much piss me off and I would want to get even.

[NorthwestUteFan]

Eric Weddle used to do that too. In his last game, the bowl game vs Tulsa(?), he was talking with the other team, asking them if they were having a good time, applauding good plays, congratulating them on getting to a bowl game, and offering a hand to help them get to their feet after the play. As time expired he intercepted what would have been an easy 80-yard pick-six and rather than running it in, he took a knee and ended the game.

I appreciate seeing this type of sportsmanship instead of the typical posturing that takes place in the game today. It is the gentlemanly thing to do, and is much harder to NOT gloat. Tennis is the same way. You owe it to your opponent to play up to your best level, but play fair and apologize for hitting the ball off the racket frame instead of the strings, for example.

Being polite also eliminates the 'retribution' factor.