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Jalen Ramsey-Ja'Marr Chase controversy: Video appears to show WR spitting on Steelers CB

Chandler Vesselsby: Chandler Vessels21 hours agoChandlerVessels
jamarr chase jalen ramsey

Video from Sunday’s matchup appears to verify a claim from Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey that Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase spat on him. Ramsey was ejected in the fourth quarter of the contest after throwing a punch at Ramsey, but said postgame he was provoked when Chase spit in his direction.

The video from Austin Briski of FOX 19 in Cincinnati showed both players exchanging words as their helmets touched and they got in each others faces. Then, Chase appears to spit toward Ramsey, who immediately reacts by grabbing the Cincinnati receiver and punching him.

Chase was asked about Ramsey’s accusation postgame and denied spitting on the Steelers DB. He was not ejected from the game because officials did not see him spit.

“I never opened my mouth to that guy,” Chase said per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. “… I didn’t spit on nobody.”

A pool reporter questioned referee Bill Vinovich after the game about the incident. He said that the officiating crew only saw Ramsey’s reaction, and did not see Chase spit on the Steelers DB.

“No. Obviously, we did not,” Vinovich said. “We did not see anything that rose to that level at all.”

As of this writing, it’s unclear whether the NFL will opt to investigate into the matter any further. If they do and find that Chase did spit on Ramsey, it’s possible the receiver could face punishment from the league.

This is not the first time this season that we’ve seen one opposing NFL player spit on another. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected during Week 1 after cameras caught him spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Carter was fined $57,222 and given a one-game suspension as a result, but the NFL counted the suspension served since he was ejected on the very first play.

Ramsey and the Steelers secondary held Chase in check for the most part in Sunday’s game. The Bengals receiver finished with just three catches for 30 yards despite being targeted 10 times. Ramsey had four tackles and a PBU prior to his ejection.

Pittsburgh ultimately won against Cincinnati by a score of 34-12 on Sunday. It marked the third straight loss for the Bengals, which dropped to 3-7 on the season. The Steelers sit in first place of the NFC North standings and take on the Chicago Bears next week.