Ja’Marr Chase’s one-game suspension has been upheld — and that means he will lose a chunk of cash.
On Tuesday, Jordy Nelson, a jointly appointed NFL-NFL Players Association appeals officer, upheld the star Bengals wide receiver’s one-game ban for spitting at Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey during Cincinnati’s road loss on Sunday.
The one-game suspension means Chase will forfeit his weekly check of $448,333 and a $58,823 bonus for a total of $507,156 lost.
Chase and Ramsey got into a scuffle during the fourth quarter that saw the latter get ejected from the game after throwing a punch and grabbing the four-time Pro Bowler’s helmet. Chase remained in the game.
After the game, Ramsey told reporters that Chase had actually spit on him before he threw the punch.
“I don’t give a f–k about football after that, respectfully,” Ramsey said.
Chase denied that he did.
Ja’Marr Chase spits at cornerback Jalen Ramsey (r) during the Steelers’ Week 11 blowout win over the Bengals. Fox 19
Ja’Marr Chase (right) reacts during the second half of the Bengals’ Week 11 blowout loss to the Steelers. Getty Images
“I never opened my mouth to that guy,” Chase told reporters. “I didn’t spit on nobody.”
Referee Bill Vinovich said after the game that he and his crew did not see Chase spit at Ramsey.
Nevertheless, video emerged afterward that showed the former All-Pro spitting at Ramsey before the Steelers star began hitting the Bengals wideout.
The NFL felt the video vindicated what Ramsey said and thus suspended Chase one game on Monday.
Without Chase, the 3-7 Bengals, already seeing their season teetering, have a tall task on Sunday against the AFC East-leading Patriots (9-2) in their Week 12 matchup.