Sports

Steelers' Jalen Ramsey fined $14,491 for throwing punch after Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase spit on him

After Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase spit on Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey last week, Ramsey punched Chase, resulting in an ejection and, ultimately, a $14,491 fine from the league, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.

Chase was the one suspended, however, and will lose more than $500,000 for his one-game absence, Pelissero reported Saturday.

In the moment, the officials didn't see Chase spitting on Ramsey. That's why the Bengals' star wideout didn't receive a second unsportsmanlike conduct penalty like Ramsey did.

Chase finished out what was a 34-12 Steelers victory.

The four-time Pro Bowl receiver denied spitting postgame, but a field-level video taken by Fox 19 WXIX-TV shows the inciting incident, which followed an intense back and forth between the standout skill players.

A play before Ramsey's ejection, they had both received unsportsmanlike penalties. Ramsey, a three-time All-Pro cornerback, said Chase tried to crackback block him, per ESPN. But Chase spitting escalated the situation even more.

"He spit on me," Ramsey said postgame, via ESPN. "I don't give a f*** about football after that, respectfully. I'm always going to be all for trash talking, s*** talking, things like that. I actually enjoy that part of the game. I think that people know that. ... We were talking s***, which I'm cool with. And then as soon as he spit, it was f*** that. ... I'm sure the NFL, they'll do their due diligence.

"They've got 100 cameras out there. They can investigate. They can see everything. ... They should be able to pull it up and see that he spit and it's whatever after that, to be honest. I was still a little too nice if I'm keeping it honest with you."

Pittsburgh acquired Ramsey in a blockbuster trade with the Miami Dolphins this past offseason. Ramsey has become a Steelers leader in his first year with the team, stepping up to play safety at points this season for an injury-riddled secondary.

His head coach didn't seem to have a problem with the way Ramsey stood up for himself against Chase.

"I have no message if someone spits in your face," Mike Tomlin said Tuesday before pausing briefly.

Tomlin then added: "Do what comes natural." 

George Pickens receives $26,085 fine for his goalpost jump

The George Pickens touchdown celebration was a costly one.

The NFL fined the Cowboys receiver $26,085 for his leap onto the goalpost after a Monday night touchdown against the Raiders. In contrast, Lions receiver Jameson Williams was fined $14,491 for the identical act one night earlier, in Philadelphia.

The difference comes, apparently, from the number of unsportsmanlike conduct infractions from Pickens. His latest was his fifth of the season. His Williams, it was only his second.

The NFL typically increases fines based on repeat offenses. And while Pickens had not previously been flagged for using a prop, he has gotten in 2025 multiple taunting fines, a fine for removing his helmet, and a fine for a violent gesture.

NFL gives George Pickens this week's biggest fine, $26,085 for hugging the goal post

The NFL fines players every week for various rule violations, many of which are illegal hits that put opponents' health at risk. But this week's biggest fine went to a player who did nothing more than celebrate a touchdown by hugging the goal post.

Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was fined $26,085 for what the league termed "Unsportsmanlike Conduct-Use of prop."

The prop Pickens used was the goal post, which he jumped onto after scoring a touchdown. That's against the rules in the NFL, although as rule violations go it wouldn't seem to be as serious as helmet-to-helmet hits, hip-drop tackles, roughing the passer, hits on defenseless receivers and the other penalties players were fined for this week. And yet none of those fines were as much as the $26,085 Pickens got for his celebration.

Pickens was one of two players fined this week for similar goal post celebrations. Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams was fined $14,491 for his violation.

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