Lead ref Bill Vinovich explains Jalen Ramsey ejection, Ja'Marr Chase spit controversy

Following a back-and-forth between Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase in postgame interviews, the NFL has added some clarity to a sequence that saw Ramsey ejected. He was ejected after throwing a punch at Chase.

Ramsey claims that Chase spit on him prior to the punch. That’s what set him off and caused such a visceral reaction.

The NFL could not corroborate any spitting. A pool reporter questioned the officiating crew about the ejection after the game.

“There was a scuffle between the two,” referee Bill Vinovich said. “We had been dealing with it all day and then it kind of escalated. They were both grabbing each other’s facemasks.”

Vinovich said he later viewed Jalen Ramsey punching Chase, which led to the ejection in the contest. He did not, however, see any spitting that might have led to the swing.

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

For his part, Chase denied the accusations from Jalen Ramsey. He weighed in moments after Ramsey met with media and made the accusation.

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

Chase firmly denied the accusation. However, a new angle from Austin Briski of FOX 19 appears to show that Chase did, in fact, spit on him. Regardless, the league could have further discipline coming for both players, potentially.

Jalen Ramsey, Ja’Marr Chase stories don’t match

The NFL will have a lot to look at here. For starters, Jalen Ramsey’s punch. Last Sunday, Washington Commanders defensive tackle Daron Payne was ejected for punching Detroit Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Payne was suspended one game.

Then there’s Chase, who looks to have spit on Ramsey before the punch. Does the league view that as an act worthy of discipline? Back in Week 1, Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Since Carter was ejected before participating in a single play, that served as his one-game suspension. Carter was also fined $57,222.

Jalen Ramsey had four tackles and a PBU prior to his ejection. Chase was held to just three catches for 30 yards.

On3’s Nick Geddes also contributed to this report.