NFL official Bill Vinovich admitted none of the referees noticed that Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase spit on Pittsburgh Steelers CB Jalen Ramsey on Sunday
20:22 ET, 16 Nov 2025Updated 20:22 ET, 16 Nov 2025
Jalen Ramsey
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Jalen Ramsey took a swing at Ja'Marr Chase following an exchange of words...or fluids(Image: Fox19/Austin Briski)
A resounding 34-12 win for the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Cincinnati Bengals was marred by an alleged fourth-quarter spitting incident between stars Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey.
Chase — still without star QB Joe Burrow — and Ramsey stood face to face with 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter, exchanging words near midfield. Suddenly, Ramsey swung, causing players from both teams to run over to the incident.
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In his postgame presser, Ramsey insisted a Chase spit caused him to react. Chase denied it, saying, "I ain't never opened my mouth to that guy." However, a video released by a local Cincinnati affiliate shows something left the Bengals star's mouth. Ramsey was subsequently ejected. On-field official Bill Vinovich claimed in his post-game pool report that "there was a scuffle between the two," but didn't see any spitting.
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"We had been dealing with it all day, and then it kind of escalated," Vinoviuch added in his response to PFWA pool reporter Brian Batko. "They were both grabbing each other's facemasks."
Batko asked a crucial follow-up. "Number five from Pittsburgh (Rasmey) said that one from Cincinnati (Chase) spit at him, and that's why he lost his cool and punched. Did anybody see that during, after, or anything like that?"
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Vinovich confirmed that none of the officials had noticed the exchange of any human fluids. "No," he answered. "Obviously, we did not. We did not see anything that rose to that level at all."
Ramsey saw differently. "He spit on me. So, it’s up," he said. "I don’t give a f--- about football after that. Respectfully.” Chase, after emphasizing that he didn't spit, admitted to winding up the Pittsburgh defender.
Jalen Ramsey
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Ramsey leaves the game following his ejection(Image: Getty Images)
"He don't like some of the stories I told him," Chase stated. "We'd been going back and forth the whole time. So I'm straight. Something got under his skin."
The Bengals wideout didn't have his strongest game, catching three passes for 30 yards from backup quarterback Joe Flacco.
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Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers exited the game early with a wrist injury and was replaced by Mason Rudolph. The longtime Steelers No. 2 played well, completing 12 of his 16 passes for 127 yards and a touchdown.
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Running back Kenneth Gainwell was the star of the Pittsburgh offense, catching seven passes for 81 yards and two scores in addition to adding 24 yards on the ground.