Ja'Marr Chase Apologizes for Spitting on Jalen Ramsey in Video After Suspension

After serving a one-game suspension for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase issued an apology.

In an Instagram post, Chase apologized to "everyone within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization," his own team and fans.

"What I did was wrong. The circumstances don't matter," he wrote. "My passion for the game is no excuse. There's zero place in our sport-or in life-for that level of disrespect.

"I want to personally apologize to everyone within the Pittsburgh Steelers organization. I let my emotions in the moment get the better of me. I can only hope and trust you know none of it represents who I am not as a competitor, teammate, or person.
I also want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and organization for not meeting my own standards as a leader of this team."

The incident occurred during the Bengals' Week 11 loss to the Steelers. Chase and Ramsey got into an altercation, and Ramsey threw a punch at Chase, leading to his ejection.

Chase was not ejected at the time, but alternative angles of the altercation revealed him spitting at Ramsey.

After the game, Ramsey revealed that Chase spitting at him led to him throwing a punch.

"He spit on me," Ramsey told reporters of what caused him to swing at Chase. "So, it's up. I don't give a f--k about football after that, respectfully."

Chase denied spitting on Ramsey when asked about it after the game.

"I never opened my mouth to that guy ... I didn't spit on nobody," Chase told reporters.

Ramsey did not serve a suspension but was fined $14,491 by the NFL. Chase's suspension also cost him his weekly paycheck of $448,333 plus a $58,823 per-game active bonus.

Chase is once again putting together a tremendous season, logging 861 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games. His absence was felt during Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, especially after his co-star, Tee Higgins, went down with a concussion.

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While Higgins will be sidelined for Thursday's game against the Baltimore Ravens, the Bengals will at least have Chase back on the field. Cincinnati is also expecting to have star quarterback Joe Burrow back on the field after his extended absence due to turf toe.

As good as the Burrow-Chase connection is, its return may not be enough to save the Bengals' season. At 3-8, Cincinnati will have to be nearly perfect over its final six games—and perhaps get some help—to avoid another playoff absence.