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- Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase faces a $507,156 fine and one-game suspension for spitting on Steelers defender Jalen Ramsey during Sunday’s matchup.
- Ramsey retaliated with a punch that got him ejected, and Chase initially denied the incident despite video evidence of the mid-air saliva.
- The incident follows Chase’s history of unsportsmanlike conduct against division rival Pittsburgh, including prior mouthpiece-grabbing incidents.
It was a spat — or a spit — between two All-Pro NFL players: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase and Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey.
And it’s going to cost Chase half a million dollars.
Chase was caught on video spitting in Ramsey’s direction during Cincinnati’s lopsided loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday. Ramsey retaliated by throwing a punch at Chase and was ejected.
The NFL suspended Chase for one game, which will cost him a week’s pay plus a bonus for being on the active roster totaling $507,156. Chase will serve the suspension Sunday when the Bengals face the New England Patriots.
After the game against Pittsburgh, Chase denied spitting and referee Bill Vinovich told pool reporters, “We did not see anything that rose to that level at all.” However, video captured the mid-air saliva.
The Rams are proving to be legitimate Super Bowl contenders, finding ways to win even when star quarterback Matthew Stafford doesn’t have the greatest day.
Ramsey, a 10-year veteran who helped the Rams win Super Bowl LVI, responded violently and had to be restrained.
“I’m always going to be all for trash talking ... stuff like that,” Ramsey told reporters after the game. “I actually enjoy that part of the game. I think people know that. But as soon as he spit, it was like ‘f— that.’”
Ramsey, 31, said Chase snatched his mouthpiece earlier in the game, which prompted a scuffle that resulted in offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Chase had been guilty of that behavior before against the division-rival Steelers, grabbing the mouthpiece of defensive back Ahkello Witherspoon and flipping off safety Minkah Fitzpatrick during a game in 2022. Chase was fined for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Ramsey, who played for the Rams from 2019 to 2022, is a seven-time Pro Bowl and three-time All-Pro cornerback on a Hall of Fame trajectory.
Chase, 25, has been an elite receiver since being drafted out of Louisiana State in 2021. He was Rookie of the Year and an All-Pro in 2021 and last season again was an All-Pro selection after leading the NFL with 127 catches, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.
Sam Darnold throws four interceptions and Seattle’s Jason Myers misses a 61-yard field goal as time expires as the Rams hang on for a thrilling 21-19 win.
This season he already has 79 receptions, including 16 for 161 yards in the Bengals’ 33-30 victory over the Steelers on Oct. 16. Last Sunday, however, he had only three catches for 30 yards in the 34-12 loss.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor made no excuses for Chase’s actions.
“Obviously what happened is crossing the line, and we can’t have that,” Taylor said. “I know he’ll own up to that.”
