1 week ago
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Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase has been slapped with a one-game suspension without pay by the NFL over his role in the on-field brawl with opponent Jalen Ramsey.
In the fourth quarter of Sunday's game, with the Pittsburgh Steelers leading 20-9, Ramsey clashed with Chase and then threw a punch at the Bengals receiver.
However, the NFL has now ruled that Chase spat on Ramsey in the buildup to the melee, leading the league to hand down the punishment.
Barring a successful appeal, the wideout is now set to miss Cincinnati's game against the New England Patriots on Sunday, which will cost him his a weekly paycheck of $448,333 along with a $58,823 per game active bonus he will be forfeiting.
The NFL ruled that Chase merited the ban for his 'act of unsportsmanlike conduct.' It determined that his actions violated the league's rule which applies to 'any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship.'
It is understood that the wide out intends to appeal the suspension, according to Ian Rapoport.
Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase has been slapped with a one-game suspension
The NFL determined that the Bengals wide receiver spat at opponent Jalen Ramsey (right)
If his appeal is unsuccessful, Chase will be permitted to return to the team on November 24 following the weekend's game.
Ramsey was ejected from the heated Week 11 clash after he landed the blow on Chase in the final quarter of the game.
However, the Steelers cornerback later claimed that Chase had spat as him provoking his violent response. Following a review, the NFL has now corroborated Ramsey's claim.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Ramsey said: 'He spit on me. I don't give a f*** about football after that. Respectfully'.
Ramsey was then asked if he feels that spitting is one of the most disrespectful acts an NFL star can perform. He responded: 'It is. It's what p*****s do, quite honestly'.
The incident came shortly after both Ramsey and Chase had received penalties for unsportsmanlike conduct, having clashed moments earlier during a third-down run.
Evidently, the penalty did little to deter the rivals as, just moments later, they were at each other's throats following a punch from the Steelers star.
Ramsey reacted by punching the chase, leading to a mass on-field brawl during the game
The pair were eventually separated, thanks to the help of offensive and defensive players on both teams, before Ramsey was ejected from the game.
Following the game, Chase denied Ramsey's claims, arguing that it was his jawing that tipped Ramsey over the edge. 'He don't like some of the words I told him,' the receiver said.
'We've been going back-and-forth the whole time, so I'm sure something got under his skin.'
Chase wasn't ejected on Sunday because, as referee Clete Blakeman said in a pool report after Sunday's game, none of the officials saw it.
