Chase's 1-game suspension for spitting upheld

"Ja'Marr Chase's one-game suspension for spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey was upheld Tuesday, meaning the star Bengals receiver will not play Sunday against the Patriots. Chase's appeal was heard by Jordy Nelson, who was jointly appointed by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. Nelson upheld the suspension, which the league had initially announced Monday. The suspension will cost Chase his weekly paycheck of $448,333, along with a $58,823 per game active bonus he will forfeit."

"The incident occurred in Cincinnati's 34-12 loss to the Steelers on Sunday. Video from Cincinnati's WXIX-TV showed Chase clearly spitting in Ramsey's direction, which prompted Ramsey to throw a punch at Chase. At the time, officials did not spot Chase's actions before ejecting Ramsey for the thrown punch. Chase finished the game. "We did not see anything that rose to that level at all," referee Bill Vinovich said in a pool report afterward."

"Chase also denied spitting on Ramsey. The two had been in a scuffle earlier in the contest, which prompted offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on both players. In announcing the suspension, the league cited the section of the rule book that applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." Information from ESPN's Ben Baby was used in this report."

Ja'Marr Chase received a one-game suspension for spitting on Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, and the suspension was upheld on appeal. Jordy Nelson, jointly appointed by the NFL and NFLPA, heard the appeal and maintained the league's decision. The penalty removes Chase from the upcoming game against the Patriots and costs him a $448,333 weekly paycheck plus a $58,823 per-game active bonus. The incident occurred during Cincinnati's 34-12 loss to the Steelers, with WXIX-TV video showing the spitting and Ramsey responding with a punch. Officials initially ejected Ramsey after the punch, and Chase finished the game while denying the spitting. The league cited unsportsmanlike conduct rules.

Read at ESPN.com