The NFL suspended Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase for one game without pay Monday after he spit on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey during Sunday’s game. The suspension will cost Chase more than half a million dollars in salary and bonuses, and would be one of the most expensive spitting events in sports history.
In a video posted by Cincinnati television station Fox 19 sports photographer Austin Briski, Chase and Ramsey were arguing on the field when Chase appeared to spit on Ramsey. Ramsey was upset and hit Chase in the helmet twice. Ramsey was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for hitting Chase and ejected from the game.
Chase denied spitting on Ramsey when asked after the game, but the NFL disagreed with Chase’s account, suspending him for one game.
“During the fourth quarter, Chase spit on Pittsburgh cornerback Jalen Ramsey, violating Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to ‘any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship,’” the league said in a statement released Monday afternoon. “Chase will be eligible to return to the Bengals’ active roster on Monday, Nov. 24, following the team’s Nov. 23 game against the New England Patriots.”
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Chase will lose $507,156 because his base weekly salary is $448,333 and he would lose the $58,823 per-game active bonus. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said Chase will appeal the ruling.
The NFL set a precedent for spitting earlier this season when Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter spit at Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott before the first snap of the game. Carter was ejected and fined. Since he didn’t play a snap, the ejection effectively served as a one-game suspension.
Chase has been one of the best wide receivers in the league, winning the receiving triple crown in the 2024 season by leading the league in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. This season, Chase has caught 79 passes for 861 yards and five touchdowns.
If the suspension is upheld, the Bengals would have to rely on Tee Higgins as their top target in the passing game.
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