Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey has seemingly avoided suspension for punching Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase in the second half of Sunday’s game. Ramsey was ejected with 13:28 left in the fourth quarter after his second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, an automatic toss by NFL rules.
Although the NFL does not typically offer official statements when players aren’t suspended, Ramsey’s name did not appear on the official league transaction sheet. Only Chase appeared among the suspended players.
Chase was suspended one game by the NFL for spitting on Ramsey, a moment that was missed by officials during the game. Chase is appealing the ruling, which could potentially be heard by former Steelers’ offensive lineman Ramon Foster. He is one of three hearing officers appointed jointly by the NFL and NFLPA.
Ramsey faced a different fate than Washington Commanders DL Daron Payne, who was suspended one game for throwing a punch in Week 10. Presumably, the league took into consideration Ramsey’s ejection and the mitigating factor of Chase spitting on Ramsey as reasons not to suspend him for the Steelers’ Week 12 game against the Chicago Bears.
As Ramsey told reporters, Chase also snatched his mouthpiece during the play before. The All-22 footage backs that assertion up.
Ramsey and Chase were called for offsetting penalties after the above play. Following a Bengals timeout, Ramsey and Chase linked up again, with Ramsey punching Chase. He was flagged and ejected.
Video showed Chase spitting on Ramsey’s jersey, an action that prompted Ramsey’s punch. After the game, Chase denied spitting on him, but the video proved him wrong.
Ramsey finished the game with four tackles. He was in his third game as Pittsburgh’s starting free safety, making the switch in Week 9 against the Indianapolis Colts, and had played well in the role. Chuck Clark replaced Ramsey after the ejection, but Clark won’t be needed to start against the Bears.
Teammates defended Ramsey. Captain Cam Heyward sent a strong message to Chase, saying players who spit should not be allowed in the game.
While Ramsey has avoided suspension and the loss of a game check, he’s still likely to be fined by the NFL. Per the league’s website, a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct is $14,491 for the first offense and $20,288 for the second. All fine money is donated to charity.
The last Steeler to be suspended for on-field conduct remains C Maurkice Pouncey in November of 2019, in the fallout from Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett hitting QB Mason Rudolph in the head with Rudolph’s helmet. Pouncey was suspended for three games, later reduced to two on appeal. Garrett was suspended for the rest of the season. Other Steelers suspended for on-field actions include WR JuJu Smith-Schuster in 2017 and LB James Harrison in 2011.
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