NFL Drops Final Punishment for Steelers’ Jalen Ramsey After Chase Incident

A heated AFC North clash between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Cincinnati Bengals spiraled into chaos on Sunday when a sideline confrontation ended with a punch and an alleged spit.

The flashpoint came when Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey delivered a closed-fist strike to the helmet of Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Officials immediately ejected Ramsey from the game for the punch.

What wasn’t publicly known until after the final whistle was that the incident had been sparked by Chase spitting in Ramsey’s face—an act captured on video.

Chase initially denied the accusation, but the league reviewed the footage and handed the third-year wideout a one-game suspension on Friday.

The NFL didn’t stop there. On Saturday, the league confirmed that Ramsey was fined $14,491 for throwing the punch during the altercation.

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was asked about the situation and shared his opinion, telling reporters he had “no message if someone spits in your face” before adding that he felt a player or coach in that situation should “do what comes natural.”

For Ramsey, what came naturally was grabbing Chase’s facemask and landing a quick blow to the side of his helmet—a reaction that will now cost him financially.

As a result of the suspension, Chase will sit out Cincinnati’s upcoming game against the New England Patriots this weekend, while Ramsey’s punishment ends with the monetary fine and the earlier ejection.

The ugly exchange served as another chapter in one of the NFL’s fiercest divisional rivalries, leaving both teams short-handed in different ways as the season rolls on.

Up next for the Pittsburgh Steelers is a Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears on the road.