The NFL has decided to uphold the one game suspension handed to Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Chase is being suspended for spitting on Jalen Ramsey of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fourth quarter of their week 11 matchup.
The star wide receiver appealed the suspension, but the NFL’s senior vice president of football & international communications Michael Signora confirmed that his appeal was denied.
Former NFL wide receiver Jordy Nelson was the hearing officer jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA. Nelson was responsible for denying the appeal.
Chase spit on Ramsey after a jawing match between the two in the fourth quarter.
Chase was adamant in his postgame press availability that he didn’t spit on Ramsey, but video footage clearly showed otherwise.
“I ain’t ever open my mouth to that guy,” Chase said.
His hilariously odd way of phrasing that statement and then almost immediately being proven wrong has made Chase a very easy punchline on social media in the last couple of days.
Bengals to Face New England Without Chase
Cincinnati will host the 9-2 New England Patriots this weekend without their star wide receiver in action. Chase struggled in the Steelers game in which the spitting incident occurred, catching just three of his 10 targets for 30 yards.
That lackluster performance doesn’t mean Cincinnati won’t miss him this weekend as they continue to play with desperation in order to give Joe Burrow something to play for when he returns.
Chase would have been matched up with one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL against the Patriots in Christian Gonzalez. Gonzalez will now more than likely be put on Tee Higgins, who is no slouch himself.
Higgins is one of only three consistent receivers on the Bengals roster, along with Chase and Andrei Iosivas. Outside of those three, the only other wide receiver who has touched the stat sheet has been Mitchell Tinsley, who has caught just three passes this season. With Chase out, Tinsley should see more playing time, though Higgins and Iosivas will likely command the bulk of targets from Joe Flacco.
Second “Spit-Gate” of the NFL Season
Ja’Marr Chase spitting on Jalen Ramsey is unfortunately the second incident of it’s kind in the NFL this season. The first came before the first snap from scrimmage of the NFL season in week one, when Philadelphia Eagles DL Jalen Carter spit on Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.
Carter was ejected from that game and handed a $57,222 fine. He didn’t face any additional suspension, as the NFL determined that since he missed the entire game against the Cowboys, it served as a pseudo-suspension.
Chase wasn’t actually kicked out of the game, as the spit was only revealed in video footage after the game. Ramsey WAS ejected for punching Chase after the spit, but will face no additional punishment.
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