NFL's decision on Ja'Marr Chase suspension was the right call

Prior to this season the NFL did not treat spitting incidents as a suspension-worthy offense, only issuing fines for them. But the league is attempting to crack down on unsportsmanlike conduct incidents, and spitting is pretty clearly high on the list.

The season began with Carter being ejected from their season opener following a spitting incident involving Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Even though the NFL did not suspend Carter beyond that, it viewed his ejection as serving as a one-game suspension because he never actually played a snap in the game.

Chase's incident happened late in the fourth quarter after he had played nearly a full game, and also received no penalty or ejection for it.

Ramsey was ejected from the game for punching Chase in response.

It is the type of thing the NFL — and all sports leagues — should have zero tolerance for and punish harshly. It goes beyond the game and has nothing to do with the physical nature of the game. It's not a heat of the moment punch. Or a borderline play that produces a dirty or illegal hit because of the speed of the game. It is a blatant act of disrespect that takes thought and effort to do.

The fact Chase denied doing it, took no accountability for it and had a lame excuse for doing it despite clear video evidence showing that he did it, only adds to the issue for him. He deserves to sit a game for it. Now he will.