Initially after Week 11, Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase told reporters he didn’t spit on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey. Despite video to the contrary, Chase is doubling down with that story.
The NFL announced a one-game suspension for Chase for his Week 11 spitting incident. The Bengals wide receiver is appealing the suspension.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport presented the wideout’s core appeal argument Monday night.
“His argument essentially being, as far as I understand, if he was going to spit on Jalen Ramsey, he wouldn’t spit on his face rather than on the floor or on his jersey,” said Rapoport on NFL Gameday.
Predictably, Chase is receiving significant criticism for that appeal argument.
“Good luck making a convincing case out of that,” wrote Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora.
“With such clear video evidence of Chase spitting on Ramsey, there’s little argument he can make. Chase clearly spat on Ramsey’s jersey, and not even down closer to the ground, where he could try to make the argument that it was inadvertent.
“He then lied about doing so and is apparently sticking to the story even as his head coach acknowledged his receiver’s mistake, though still defended him broadly.”
Former NFL wide receiver Jordy Nelson will be the appeals officer in Chase’s case. Regardless of the appeals officer, though, Chase successfully appealing his one-game suspension is unlikely.
The video Kozora referenced, which Fox 19 sports photographer Austin Briski posted on X, shows Chase spitting on Ramsey during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s matchup. In response, Ramsey punched Chase.
The officials ejected Ramsey for the punch. Chase received a 15-yard penalty for his role in the altercation, but no penalty for spitting on Ramsey.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Getting Put on Blast
As one could expect, Chase doesn’t have many in his corner with his suspension and appeal strategy.
The Sporting News’ Mike Moraitis also sarcastically wished the receiver “good luck” in his appeal process. Moraitis referred to the appeal strategy for Chase as a “wild argument.”
“This is just a bad look all around for Chase,” wrote Moraitis.
“It’s bad enough he spit on someone and then lied about it, but now he’s going to go lie yet again in his appeal when it’s crystal clear he is guilty.
“Chase should just take it on the chin, accept his punishment and keep it moving.”
Bengals’ Zac Taylor Supports Chase
Despite Chase’s unpopularity outside of Cincinnati at the moment, Bengals head coach offered his support for the receiver while speaking to reporters Monday.
Taylor doesn’t really have much of a choice. He would likely lose the team’s locker room if he completely threw the wideout, who is one of Cincinnati’s stars, under the bus.
It’s important to note, though, that Taylor didn’t defend Chase’s action of spitting on Ramsey.
“I’ve always been impressed with how Ja’Marr handled himself because he is in a lot of these situations where he’s got a target as a top player,” Taylor told the media. “He gets a lot of respect that way, and so guys try to do a lot of things to get his attention and get him off his game.
“I’ve always thought it was unbelievable how he has handled himself in some really high-pressure, emotional decisions.
“Obviously, what happens is crossing the line. We can’t have that, and I know he’ll own up to that. But beyond that, I’ve always sat up here and praised Ja’Marr because he’s one of the best leaders we’ve got.”
Taylor and the rest of the NFL, though, is still waiting on Chase to “own up” to spitting on Ramsey. The receiver declined speaking to the media Monday.
Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase Raising Eyebrows With Spitting Suspension Appeal