Steelers Now
The NFL has upheld the one-game suspension for Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, the league announced on Tuesday.
Chase appealed the suspension, levied for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey in Sunday’s 34-12 Steelers victory in Pittsburgh.
The hearing was held on Tuesday by jointly appointed NFL-NFLPA hearing officer Jordy Nelson, a former wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers.
Chase denied having spit on Ramsey after the game, but video evidence clearly showed that he did. Despite that, he appealed the decision, but to no avail. He will serve his one game suspension when the Bengals host the New England Patriots this Sunday.
“I never opened my mouth to that guy,” Chase said. “I didn’t spit on nobody.”
In addition to the one-game suspension, Chase will also forfeit his salary for the game, which means that he will lose over $500,000 in salary and per-game bonuses.
Chase spit on Ramsey after a fourth-down play where the Bengals tried to draw the Steelers offside in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game. Ramsey and Chase had been in a scuffle on the previous play, and both players were assessed offsetting personal fouls. After the timeout, they again came together, and Chase spit on Ramsey.
Ramsey then punched Chase twice. Chase was not assessed a foul for spitting on the field. Ramsey was given a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and was ejected for throwing a punch.
Ramsey has not been suspended, but could still face an additional fine beyond the ejection. The NFL announces fines on Saturdays in season.
“He spit on me, so it’s up,” Ramsey said after the game. “I don’t give a fuck about football after that — respectfully.”
Head coach Mike Tomlin defended Ramsey’s actions on Tuesday.
“I have no message if someone spits in your face. Do what comes natural,” Tomlin said.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Now: Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Loses Appeal of Suspension
