Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has officially filed an appeal after the NFL handed him a two-game suspension for spitting on Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey and later denying it during his postgame press conference. And this time, Chase is not holding anything back.
In his first public statement since the ruling, Chase delivered a blistering message aimed directly at the league’s disciplinary office.
“I’ve played this game long enough to know when things are fair. This isn’t. The NFL handed me a fine, but Ramsey walks away without a suspension? That’s clear favoritism. I’ll take responsibility for my part, but I won’t stay silent when the league chooses sides instead of protecting the integrity of the game.”
His comments escalate an already volatile situation that erupted late Sunday night when the league announced one of the fastest discipline turnarounds in NFL history.
NFL Drops Two-Game Suspension After Reviewing Video
The NFL moved with unprecedented speed, suspending Chase for two games just hours after the Bengals’ loss to Pittsburgh. According to the league:
• 1 game for spitting on Ramsey
• 1 game for “deliberate and intentional false denial” during postgame questioning
The punishment doubled after investigators reviewed enhanced sideline footage clearly showing saliva leaving Chase’s facemask and striking Ramsey—contradicting Chase’s earlier public denial.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell issued a rare late-night statement, saying:
“Respect between players is non-negotiable… spitting is one of the most egregious violations of that standard.”
Ramsey, who was ejected during the game for retaliating, will
Ja’Marr Chase pretty clearly spit on Jalen Ramsey…looks like they ejected the wrong guypic.twitter.com/hx3ivo0IUa
— Bad Sports Refs (@BadSportsRefs) November 16, 2025
not face further discipline.
Chase Claims League Bias, Says Ramsey Should Have Been Suspended Too
Chase’s appeal centers on one theme: unequal punishment.
Sources close to the receiver say he feels the league “publicly humiliated” him by issuing discipline so quickly while clearing Ramsey, who threw the punch during the altercation.
Chase reportedly believes both players should have been suspended, or neither.
Bengals officials are expected to support Chase’s appeal, but league sources say the suspension will stand unless “compelling and extraordinary evidence” emerges—something insiders view as “highly unlikely.”
Impact on Bengals’ Season
Before the incident, Chase had six catches for 74 yards in Cincinnati’s 34–12 loss. Now he will miss two critical games in the Bengals’ AFC playoff push.
The team has not released its full statement, but Chase’s fiery comments guarantee one thing:
This appeal will be the biggest disciplinary battle of the NFL season.
