Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been suspended one game without pay for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, the league announced Monday.
Chase is appealing the suspension, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The appeal will be heard and decided by Derrick Brooks, Ramon Foster or Jordy Nelson, the hearing officers jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
If the suspension stands, he would miss his team’s next game against the New England Patriots in Week 12. The incident occurred during Cincinnati’s 34-12 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. Video from Cincinnati’s WXIX-TV showed Chase clearly spitting in Ramsey’s direction, prompting Ramsey to throw a punch at Chase.
The suspension would cost Chase his weekly salary of $448,333 as well as an active bonus of $58,823 per game he loses.
In announcing the suspension, the league cited the section of the regulations that applies to “any act contrary to the generally recognized principles of sportsmanship.”
This is the second time this season that a player has been suspended for spitting on an opponent. During Week 1, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter spat on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the first play from scrimmage, causing Carter to be ejected. The NFL considered this a one-game suspension.
However, Chase finished the game against the Steelers. At the time, officials failed to spot Chase’s actions before ejecting Ramsey for the thrown punch.
“We haven’t seen anything that has reached that level,” referee Bill Vinovich said in a pool report after the match.
Chase also denied spitting on Ramsey. The two players had gotten into a fight earlier in the competition, resulting in unsportsmanlike conduct penalties being issued to both players.
“I never opened my mouth to that guy,” said Chase, who said the words exchanged between the two were what caused Ramsey’s reaction.
But the league sided with Ramsey. Bengals coach Zac Taylor reprimanded Chase on Monday.
“Obviously what happened is beyond the pale, and we cannot allow that,” Taylor said. “I know he will admit it.
When approached by ESPN on Monday, Chase declined to speak to reporters.
Ramsey had to be restrained several times. He was still facing Chase after his expulsion was announced and took several minutes to leave the field.
“I don’t care about football after this, respectfully,” Ramsey told reporters after the game. “I’ll always be all for the chatter, the bullshit, stuff like that. I actually enjoy that part of the game. I think people know that.”
Ramsey said spitting could not be tolerated.
“As soon as he spat it was like ‘f— that.'”
The veteran defensive back also said Chase picked up his mouthpiece earlier, which started the first fight. A similar incident occurred in 2022, when Chase took on Steelers safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. Chase was later fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.
This season, Chase was voted team captain and was praised by his teammates and coaches for showing maturity and restraint during a difficult season.
This is the first time Chase has been suspended in his career. The Bengals have lost seven of their last eight games. The Patriots (9-2) have won eight straight and have the best record in the AFC.
Taylor on Monday defended Chase’s overall record and his status as the team’s leader despite the recent incident.
“I can’t say enough positive things about Ja’Marr and think about how many situations people have tried to put him in and how he’s always responded,” Taylor said.
“We’re not all perfect. We’re going to make a mistake here and there, but I support Ja’Marr. I know it’s an emotional situation. I know there’s a lot going on there that leads to things like this. We’re just going to keep moving forward.”
