Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase received a one-game suspension for spitting Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey during a 34-12 loss on Sunday, Nov. 16.
Chase denied spitting on Ramsey after the game, but video taken from the field showed the star wide receiver clearly doing what Ramsey accused him of following the Steelers win. Bengals head coach Zac Taylor addressed the incident and called it “crossing the line” before defending Chase’s character.
“Obviously what happened is crossing the line. He’ll own up to that,” Taylor said. “Ja’Marr is one of my favorite players. I love how this guy handles everything that he’s been a part of. So making one mistake doesn’t disregard everything this guy’s done that’s been positive for us.”
As the Bengals get set to face off against New England Patriots, Chase made a significant decision. He’s choosing to appeal the one-game suspension and his appeal will be heard by former Green Bay Packers star wide receiver Jordy Nelson, a jointly appointed NFL-NFLPA appeals officer.
Chase would become the first player to be suspended for spitting on an opponent. In the season-opener between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys, defensive lineman Jalen Carter spit on quarterback Dak Prescott. Carter was ejected from the contest early in the first quarter and fined a game check – he did not appeal the decision.
The suspension would cost Chase his weekly paycheck of $448,333, along with $58,823 in a per-game active bonus.
