Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase are two of the best at their respective positions.
So it's no surprise the two were matched up against one another in Sunday's Week 1 matchup - a game the Steelers won 34-12.
The head-to-head battle was entertaining while it lasted, but it was cut short when Ramsey was ejected early in the fourth quarter for throwing a punch at Chase. He clarified to reporters after the game that he got physical with the Bengals Pro Bowl wideout because he spit on him - accusations that Chase vehemently denied.
“He spit on me, so…I don’t give a [expletive] about football after that, respectfully” Ramsey stated, via Brendan Howe of Steelers Now.
“I ain’t never opened my mouth to that guy,” Chase said, via CLSNCincy’s Mike Petraglia. “… He don’t like some of the words that I told him. We’d been going back and forth for some time, so I’m sure something go under his skin.”
CBS Sports Jonathan Jones reported that the NFL will investigate the incident and get to the bottom of what happened, which could result in a suspension for Chase if he's found to have lied about spitting on Ramsey, which video from Fox 19’s Austin Briski shows he did.
"The NFL will look into this," Jones wrote on X. "They have set a precedent that they will suspend a player for a game if he spits on someone."
This isn’t the first incident the league has seen this season of one player spitting on another.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was fined $57,222 and hit with a one-game suspension for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott back in Week 1.
Carter didn't miss any time, however, as he was ejected on the first play of the game and the NFL deemed his missing the final 59 minutes and change of that game counted as him serving his suspension.
Based on Carter’s punishment, Chase can likely expect a hefty fine of more than $50,000 and to miss Cincinnati’s Week 12 game against the New England Patriots next Sunday.
2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.