Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been handed a one-game suspension without pay by the NFL following a heated altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
The decision stems from an incident in Sunday’s game that escalated into a physical confrontation on the field.
What Happened During the Game
The drama unfolded in the fourth quarter when the Steelers led 20-9.
Ramsey and Chase tangled on the field, and Ramsey ultimately threw a punch at the Bengals star.
While that punch grabbed headlines, the league’s investigation found that Chase had spat on Ramsey just before the scuffle, prompting the NFL to take action.
The Cost of the Suspension
If the suspension stands, Chase will miss Cincinnati’s matchup against the New England Patriots this Sunday.
The financial impact is significant: he will lose his weekly salary of $448,333 along with a per-game active bonus of $58,823.
Beyond the money, his absence will be felt on the field as the Bengals prepare for a critical matchup.
League’s Rationale
The NFL cited Chase’s “act of unsportsmanlike conduct” as the reason for the suspension, noting that it violated the league’s principle that players must act in accordance with standard sportsmanship.
Essentially, spitting on another player is considered a serious breach of professional conduct.
Chase Plans to Appeal
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Chase intends to appeal the suspension.
If the appeal is unsuccessful, he is expected to return to action on November 24, following the Bengals’ game against the Patriots.
Ramsey Ejected Amid the Altercation
Ramsey, who delivered the punch, was ejected during the Week 11 clash. He later defended his actions, claiming that Chase had spat on him, provoking the violent response. The NFL investigation has now confirmed Ramsey’s version of events.
Speaking to reporters, Ramsey said bluntly, “He spit on me. I don’t give a [expletive] about football after that. Respectfully.” When asked whether spitting is one of the most disrespectful acts in the NFL, he added, “It is. It’s what [expletive]s do, quite honestly.”
The Build-Up to the Fight
The incident didn’t erupt out of nowhere. Both players had already received unsportsmanlike conduct penalties earlier in the game after a tense third-down confrontation.
Those penalties, however, did little to calm tempers.
Just moments later, the rivalry boiled over into the fight that saw Ramsey ejected.
Chase Denies Spitting
After the game, Chase pushed back against Ramsey’s claims, insisting it was his words—not actions—that triggered the altercation.
“He don’t like some of the words I told him,” Chase said.
“We’ve been going back-and-forth the whole time, so I’m sure something got under his skin.”
Chase was not ejected during the game because officials did not witness the spitting, according to referee Clete Blakeman’s pool report.
Looking Ahead
With Chase facing a suspension and the Bengals preparing for a challenging matchup against the Patriots, the focus now shifts to the appeal process and how the team will adjust in his absence.
The saga also leaves lingering questions about sportsmanship and the intensity of player rivalries in the NFL.
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