The NFL has suspended Ja'Marr Chase, the Cincinnati Bengals’ star wide receiver, for one game without pay after he spat on Jalen Ramsey, the Pittsburgh Steelers’ All-Pro cornerback, during a heated fourth-quarter scuffle at Paycor Stadium on November 19, 2023. The incident, captured clearly on video, triggered a chain reaction: Ramsey was ejected for throwing a punch, Chase denied the spitting — but the footage didn’t lie. And now, the league has acted.
The Moment That Exploded
With 5:42 left in the fourth quarter and the Steelers leading 23-20, the Bengals faced fourth and one at their own 37-yard line. The crowd was on its feet. The game was on the line. As Chase and Ramsey tangled near the sideline after a short reception, Ramsey grabbed Chase’s face mask — a clear penalty. But then, something darker happened. A quick, deliberate motion from Chase. Liquid arced through the air. It landed on Ramsey’s jersey, near his collarbone. Ramsey froze. Then, in a flash, he swung. The punch landed. Officials, initially focused on the face mask, didn’t catch the spit — until the replay.
By the time the booth reviewed the play, the damage was done. Ramsey was ejected. Chase remained on the field. But the NFL’s security team, led by Lisa Friel, pulled every camera angle — from the end zone, the sideline, even the FOX 19 WXIX-TV helicopter feed. The spitting was undeniable.
Denial, Evidence, and the League’s Response
Chase, 23, stood before reporters the next day and said flatly: “I did not spit on nobody—I don’t know where they got that from, that’s false.” But the video, authenticated by NFL Films at 11:47 a.m. ET on November 20, showed the exact moment. The saliva. The trajectory. The reaction on Ramsey’s face.
Meanwhile, Ramsey, 29, told ESPN’s Salena Zito: “I threw the punch because Chase spit on me first—I saw the saliva hit my jersey and that’s unacceptable conduct on the football field.” His tone wasn’t angry. It was wounded. And that’s what made it stick.
The NFL moved fast. On Monday, National Football League announced Chase’s one-game suspension without pay under Article 46 of the 2020-2030 Collective Bargaining Agreement. It was the first such suspension for spitting since Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown in 2022. The penalty? $257,353 — exactly one-seventeenth of Chase’s $4.375 million base salary. He’ll miss Thursday night’s game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.
Why Spitting? Why Now?
Spitting isn’t just unsportsmanlike — it’s personal. In sports, it’s a primal act of disrespect. You don’t spit on someone unless you’re trying to humiliate them. And in a rivalry as intense as Bengals-Steelers — where physicality is part of the culture — this crossed a line.
This was the third on-field clash between Chase and Ramsey since 2021. In 2022, they jawed at midfield after a pick-six. In September of that year, they shoved each other after a catch. Both times, penalties were called. No ejections. No suspensions. But this? This was different. It wasn’t trash talk. It wasn’t shoving. It was saliva on a jersey. A silent, deliberate insult.
“This isn’t about toughness,” said CBS Sports analyst Trent Green during The NFL Today broadcast. “It’s about boundaries. You don’t spit. Not in this league. Not ever. And when you do, the league has to send a message.”
What Happens to Ramsey?
Oddly, Ramsey escaped further punishment. The league deemed his punch a “retaliatory act” — understandable, but still illegal. The ejection was enough. No fine. No suspension. The NFL’s stance? He was provoked. But that doesn’t mean he’s in the clear. The league watches. And if this becomes a pattern — if Ramsey starts swinging every time he’s spat on — that changes.
Meanwhile, the Bengals lost their most explosive weapon. Chase leads the team with 51 receptions, 702 yards, and five touchdowns in 10 games. His absence opens the door for Tee Higgins to carry more of the load — and for the Patriots’ secondary to breathe easier.
Appeal Window Opens — But Will He Take It?
Chase has three business days to appeal. The hearing will be held by either Derrick Brooks or Lauren Silberman, the neutral arbitrators appointed jointly by the NFL and NFLPA. Brooks, a Hall of Fame linebacker, knows physicality. Silberman, a former federal prosecutor, knows rules. Either way, the video is the star witness.
Will Chase appeal? He might. But here’s the twist: if he does, he risks looking more defiant. And the league might use that as grounds to escalate. He’s already lost the public narrative. The video is everywhere. His teammates know. His coaches know. His fans know.
What This Means for the NFL
This isn’t just about two players. It’s about the NFL’s Personal Conduct Policy — updated in 2014 after the Ray Rice scandal — which now clearly treats spitting as a minimum one-game offense. No exceptions. No “it was just a joke.”
It’s also a test. The league has been criticized for inconsistent discipline. But here? They acted decisively. They used video. They cited the rule. They didn’t wait. And they made it clear: this isn’t just about safety. It’s about dignity.
Chase will be back on November 24. But the message? It’s already echoing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Ja'Marr Chase suspended but Jalen Ramsey wasn't fined or suspended further?
The NFL determined Chase’s spitting was the initial provocation, a direct violation of the Personal Conduct Policy that mandates a minimum one-game suspension. Ramsey’s punch was ruled a retaliatory act — still a 15-yard penalty and an ejection, but not considered an escalation warranting additional discipline. The league viewed Ramsey’s response as emotionally driven, not premeditated, and chose not to add penalties beyond the on-field ejection.
How much money did Ja'Marr Chase lose from his suspension?
Chase forfeited $257,353 in base salary — exactly one-seventeenth of his $4.375 million annual salary under his four-year, $30.9 million contract. The NFL calculates lost pay by dividing the annual salary by 17, the number of regular-season weeks. He’ll be paid again once he returns to the active roster on November 24, 2023.
Can Ja'Marr Chase appeal the suspension, and what are his chances?
Yes, Chase has three business days to file an appeal, to be heard by either Derrick Brooks or Lauren Silberman. But his chances of success are slim. The video evidence is irrefutable, the NFL’s policy is clear, and precedent was set in 2022 with DeMarvion Overshown. An appeal might buy him time, but overturning the suspension would require proving the video was doctored — which no credible source has suggested.
What’s the history between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey?
This was their third on-field confrontation since 2021. In January 2022, they exchanged words after a long reception. In September 2022, they shoved each other following a catch — both incidents resulted in 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalties but no ejections. This time, the stakes were higher. The rivalry intensified, and the act crossed from physical to personal, triggering the league’s strongest response yet.
How does this affect the Bengals’ playoff chances?
Chase’s absence is a major blow. He’s the Bengals’ leading receiver, averaging 13.8 yards per catch and scoring five touchdowns in 10 games. Without him, quarterback Joe Burrow loses his most reliable deep threat. The Bengals, currently 6-4, face the Patriots, who have a strong secondary. If Cincinnati loses, their playoff path tightens — and the timing couldn’t be worse. This suspension isn’t just about one game. It’s about momentum.
Has the NFL ever suspended a player for spitting before?
Yes — in 2022, Dallas Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown was suspended for one game without pay after spitting on a New York Giants player during a game. That case set the modern precedent. Before that, spitting incidents were typically penalized with fines or ejections, but never formal suspensions. The NFL’s 2014 update to its Personal Conduct Policy made clear that spitting is a violation of dignity and sportsmanship, warranting at least a one-game ban.
