Mike Tomlin Feels Jalen Ramsey’s Reaction to Ja’Marr Chase Spitting Incident Was Justified

Ja’Marr Chase reportedly spat on Jalen Ramsey’s face, after which the latter struck Chase and was immediately ejected from the game.

Mike Tomlin Feels Jalen Ramsey’s Reaction to Ja’Marr Chase Spitting Incident Was Justified

Mike Tomlin; Ja’Marr Chase, Jalen Ramsey (Images via The Sporting News/X)

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The Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, Mike Tomlin, has his cornerback Jalen Ramsey’s back after the infamous spitting incident amid the team’s game against their divisional rivals, the Cincinnati Bengals. Ramsey was ejected from the game after he turned on Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase after the latter reportedly spat at him.

Initially, Ramsey’s response was seen as an overreaction, as he was in the wrong for striking a punch on Chase. Thence, he was ejected, and Chase walked scot-free at the time. Soon enough, Chase’s disgusting act was brought to light, and the league charged him with a one-game suspension. The incident, quite unsurprisingly, became a global sports headline even in places where the NFL is not popular or known.

As one could boldly claim, such an incident does scrape at the game’s integrity and the spirit of the game. Tomlin was asked about the spitting-gate at his press conference on Tuesday. He mentioned that it was uncommon in the world of football. He then defended the actions of his cornerback, Ramsey, and admitted that a grave injustice on your face sometimes prompts a reaction and that it is natural.

I have no message. If someone spits in your face, do what comes natural.

Meanwhile, Ja’Marr Chase, who’s on the other end of the whole drama, is set to appeal his suspension. NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported that the wideout and his team are set to appeal the decision by the organization, claiming that he didn’t intentionally spit on Ramsey.

My understanding is (Chase) is going to appeal, with his argument essentially being, as far as I understand, if he was going to spit on Jalen Ramsey, he would have spit in the face rather than just on the floor or on the jersey.

The league suspended Ja’Marr Chase in the Jalen Ramsey incident to send a clear, uncompromising message

The current season has been ridiculed with a heavy load of drama and antics. Ja’Marr Chase is not the first spit-gate this year. Earlier in Week 1, the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive tackle Jalen Carter spat on the face of the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.

Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase (Image via Sky Sports)

Carter wasn’t fined or suspended by the league, considering he was ejected immediately after the spitting incident and ended up on the sidelines for almost the whole game. The incident took place a few minutes into the first quarter. The organization viewed this as a fair, one-game suspension. Additionally, he was fined around $57,000 for his actions.

With a second incident this season, the league’s decision to suspend Chase for a game is linked to their wish to come down strong on such unsportsmanlike actions from players. The fact that the Bengals are in a crucial position and play a stronger opponent next week makes the suspension feel harsher than it actually is.

Earlier, the NFL resorted to fines rather than such game-day punishments. They have upgraded the cost of the players’ consequences in alignment with their zero-tolerance policy on violence.

In 2020, Baltimore Ravens cornerback Marcus Peters was caught on camera spitting in the direction of Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jarvis Landry. Although the act drew widespread backlash and was condemned by analysts and fans alike, the league stopped short of issuing a suspension. Instead, Peters was fined for the incident.

Historically, the NFL has treated spitting as a serious but fineable offense, with only a few notable cases on record. Terrell Owens and Sean Taylor were involved in the league’s two other major spitting incidents, receiving fines of $35,000 and $17,000, respectively.

In all three situations, the NFL opted for monetary penalties rather than suspensions, which has now become the norm due to the increased crackdown on unsavory moments like these.

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