The Cincinnati Bengals will be without their star wide receiver, Ja’Marr Chase, for an upcoming game following a suspension handed down by the NFL. The disciplinary action comes after Chase was caught spitting in the face of Jalen Ramsey, a defensive back for the Pittsburgh Steelers, during a heated exchange in Sunday’s game.
Emotions boiled over in the fourth quarter, marking the second intense encounter between Chase and Ramsey that game. Despite the tensions, Ramsey described the incident as typical competitive banter that turned physical when Chase allegedly spat on him, a claim Chase firmly denies.
The suspension will cost Chase financially as well. He stands to lose a weekly game check of $448,333, in addition to a game-active bonus of $58,823, a significant financial penalty for the young player.
This incident marks the second notable spitting controversy of the NFL season. Earlier in the year, Philadelphia Eagles’ Jalen Carter was involved in a similar situation when he spat on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Unlike Carter, who accepted his punishment without contest, Chase plans to appeal his suspension. The appeal is expected to be heard by former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
According to Ramsey, the confrontation was nothing more than typical jawing between opponents, but when Chase spat on him, it escalated into a physical altercation.
For his part, Chase denies spitting on Ramsey.
This is the second major spitting incident of the year. The first occurred early in the season when Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter spat on Cowboys QB Dak Prescott. In that incident, Carter did not appeal the suspension. Chase has indicated he intends to appeal his suspension. It is believed that the appeals officer who would hear his case is former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson.
A few weeks ago, Nelson handled the appeal of Washington Commanders linebacker Frankie Luvu, who was fined and suspended by the league for a hip-drop tackle. Luvu’s suspension was reduced to a fine.
