Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase will lose $507,000 after his one-game suspension was upheld for spitting at Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey during an altercation.
Per the New York Post, the decision to uphold Chase’s one-game suspension was upheld on Tuesday by Jordy Nelson, a jointly appointed NFL-NFL Players Association appeals officer.
Should Chase, 25, have been available for the Bengals’ week 12 game against the New England Patriots, he would have earned $448,333 in addition to a $58,823 bonus. His suspension means that he’s going to lose his $507,156 weekly paycheck.
The alleged spitting incident and altercation occurred in the fourth quarter of the Bengals-Steelers game on Sunday, and Ramsey, 31, was ultimately ejected from the game after he held Chase’s helmet and punched him. Though the pair was ultimately separated by officials and their teammates, Chase was not ejected.
Following the game, Ramsey claimed that he punched Chase because he spat at him. “I don’t give a f–k about football after that, respectfully,” Ramsey told reporters.
But Chase denied spitting at his opponent. “I never opened my mouth to that guy,” Chase told reporters. “I didn’t spit on nobody.”
After the game, referee Bill Vinovich also said that he and other officials did not see the alleged spitting incident. But after a review of a video showing the events leading to the punch, it was ultimately determined that Chase indeed spat at Ramsey.
While speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin described the incident as “unfortunate” and stated that they’re “moving on” because the NFL has passed its ruling on the case, NBC Sports reported.
“I have no message if someone spits in your face,” Tomlin added. “Do what comes natural.”
Field-level view of the second altercation between Ja’Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey. Chase said “I didn’t spit on nobody.”
— Austin Briski (@austin_briski) November 16, 2025
The video clearly shows he did.#Bengals @FOX19 pic.twitter.com/ooGzInoPdS
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