Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has been suspended one game without pay by the NFL for an act of unsportsmanlike conduct after video evidence determined he spat on Pittsburgh Steelers safety Jalen Ramsey during Sunday’s divisional matchup.
The league announced the punishment Monday afternoon, citing a violation of the rule covering conduct contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship. Chase, one of the league’s top receivers, is set to miss the Bengals’ upcoming Week 12 game against the New England Patriots, pending any successful appeal.
Ja’Marr Chase declined to speak to the media today following yesterday’s spit incident.@WLWT
— Jaron May (@jaron_may) November 17, 2025
League Enforces Strict Sportsmanship Precedent
The incident occurred during the third quarter of the Bengals’ 34-12 road loss to the Steelers. The confrontation was the culmination of multiple heated exchanges between the two players, both of whom had already been flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct penalties earlier in the sequence.
Following the alleged spitting, Ramsey reacted by throwing a punch at Chase’s helmet. Officials, who did not witness the spitting, ejected Ramsey for the punch. Ramsey later told reporters that the disrespectful act was the reason for his retaliation, stating, “He spit on me, so, it’s up.” Chase immediately denied the allegation in his postgame comments, saying he “didn’t spit on nobody.”
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
However, field-level video footage later surfaced online that appeared to show saliva leaving Chase’s mouth in Ramsey’s direction.
By imposing a one-game suspension, the NFL is adhering to a precedent set earlier this season. Defensive tackle Jalen Carter of the Philadelphia Eagles received an equivalent one-game suspension for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in the season opener.
The suspension will cost Chase approximately one-eighteenth of his base salary, a fine estimated to be nearly $450,000. Chase remains eligible to appeal the ruling, but the video evidence and league precedent make the likelihood of a successful appeal low. The loss of the star receiver is a major blow to a Bengals offense already struggling to stay competitive this season.
