The NFL handed down a hefty fine to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, though it remains unclear what act in particular he was punished for
18:13 ET, 22 Nov 2025Updated 18:13 ET, 22 Nov 2025
Jalen Ramsey stands on the sideline
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Jalen Ramsey has been fined by the NFL for unsportsmanlike conduct(Image: Getty Images)
The NFL has fined Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey — but for what exactly remains a mystery.
On Saturday, Ramsey was slapped with a $14,491 fine for “unsportsmanlike conduct” stemming from the Steelers’ 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. In the fourth quarter of the contest, the 31-year-old struck wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in the face after being spit on — though this action may not have been what drew the monetary punishment.
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With under 14 minutes left in regulation, Ramsey and Chase were each issued offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties following a run by Kendall Milton on third down. During a brief confrontation, the pair grabbed one another’s face masks and squared up before officials stepped in to break it up.
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Prior to the next snap, Chase spit on Ramsey, who retaliated by hitting him twice in the helmet. The latter was promptly issued another unsportsmanlike penalty and ejected from the game.
As Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio noted, however, it appears that Ramsey might not have been punished for his retaliatory outburst after all. “Should Ramsey have been fined for the incident that resulted in the ejection? Technically, yes,” Florio wrote.
“But, given that it was provoked by Chase spitting on him, it would make sense to not punish him for it.
“It appears the NFL may have taken that route, but without making it clear that the league opted to look the other way on Ramsey’s natural reaction to the ultimate on-field indignity.”
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Given that the NFL’s explanation for Ramsey’s unsportsmanlike conduct was only “other,” it could be interpreted that the league chose to only fine him for the penalty he drew one play prior to his ejection.
In the past, the NFL has fined handed down punishments for each finable infraction that a player commits. Back in Week 2, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was forced to pay $14,491 for the removal of his helmet, as well as $14,491 for a violent gesture.
Since Ramsey was clearly provoked by Chase — who received a one-game suspension for spitting on an opponent — the NFL might’ve deemed his ensuing behavior not worthy of a fine.
Addressing the incident on Sunday, Ramsey told reporters: "He spit on me, so it's up. I don't give a f--- about football after that, respectfully."
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As for what happened one play earlier, he added: "He snatched my mouthpiece off my facemask, and that's when I pushed his facemask ... that was just a little scuffle.
"But the refs told us right there like, 'Aye y'all, chill, no more of this.' As soon as he spit, it was f--- that."
Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, for one, understood why Ramsey acted the way he did. "I have no message if someone spits in your face," Tomlin said during Tuesday’s press conference. "Do what comes natural."