A heated AFC North rivalry game took a disgusting turn Sunday, culminating in Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey being ejected after an altercation he says was sparked by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase spitting on him—an allegation Chase quickly denied, only for video evidence to later emerge contradicting his claim.
The incident occurred during the fourth quarter of the Steelers’ 34-12 victory, intensifying the already fierce divisional bad blood.
The Confrontation and Denial
Ramsey was ejected for throwing a punch at Chase during a heated, face-to-face exchange after a play. In his postgame comments, Ramsey did not mince words about what led to his retaliation.
“He spit on me, so, it’s up,” Ramsey told reporters. “It don’t give a [expletive] about football after that. Respectfully.”
Ramsey’s claim immediately put the focus on Chase, who struggled through the game, logging just three catches. When asked about the accusation, the Bengals star firmly denied the unsportsmanlike act.
“I didn’t spit on nobody,” Chase told the media. “I never opened my mouth to that guy.”
Video Tells a Different Story
Field-level view of the second altercation between Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey. Chase said "I didn't spit on nobody."
The video clearly shows he did.#Bengals @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/ooGzInoPdS
— Austin Briski (@austin_briski) November 16, 2025
The “he said/he said” narrative collapsed hours later when video footage—captured by an independent camera source and not shown on the live game broadcast—began circulating widely on social media.
Multiple angles appear to show Chase leaning into Ramsey’s space and a clear spray of spittle leaving the receiver’s mouth and making contact with the defensive back’s uniform or face. The physical evidence strongly supports Ramsey’s version of events, showing the act of spitting occurred immediately before Ramsey reached out and struck Chase.
The incident is the second high-profile spitting controversy this season, drawing parallels to the ejection of Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter earlier this year for spitting at an opponent.
League Discipline Expected
While Ramsey was ejected for his retaliatory punch, the emergence of the video evidence now shifts the league’s disciplinary focus squarely onto Chase. Spitting on an opponent is considered a severe violation of sportsmanlike conduct and carries the potential for a significant fine or a suspension.
The NFL’s league office is now tasked with reviewing the full footage and determining whether Chase’s actions warrant a suspension for the Bengals’ upcoming Week 12 game. Ramsey, meanwhile, will likely face a fine for the punch, but the video evidence may serve as a mitigating factor in the severity of his penalty. The ugly exchange ensures the next Steelers-Bengals meeting will be even more volatile.
