Corey Dillon Fights Water With Soy Sauce

source close to retired NFL star Corey Dillon tells TMZ the ex-running back is adamant that he didn't lay a hand on his wife last night -- but he may have splashed her with soy sauce. As TMZ first reported, Dillon was arrested for felony spousal abuse at his home in Calabasas last night after his wife, Desiree Dillon, called 911 claiming she had been assaulted. Our source says Corey admits that he and his wife -- who filed for divorce last month -- were having a heated verbal argument during dinner when they began "throwing water and soy sauce" at each other ... but Corey vehemently denies that he roughed up Desiree.

In any other country this wouldn't be a story. You go across the pacific and into Japan, they have soy sauce throwing contests. Play a little game to see who can take the most wasabi in their eyes and shit like that. I just want to know how an argument escalates to throwing soy sauce. I mean I've been in water fights before and that shit is no joke. It's all shits and giggles until you get it in the eyes. But soy sauce? Yikes. Talk about bringing a knife to a gun fight. It's like a game of touch football that turns violent. You're playing along and one guy jokingly tackles another and you laugh and bullshit and hardy har har. Then on the next play, the biggest dude out there completely body slams the undersized running back. Everybody stops and says "whoa, bro. Too far." Your beautiful Saturday is ruined and there's tension in the air just like the Dillon family supper ended with soy sauce in the face.