Jalen Ramsey Says He Called A.J. Green 'Soft and Weak' and Was 'Spitting Facts'
November 8, 2017
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey revealed some of the trash talk that led to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green punching him during Jacksonville's 23-7 Week 9 victory.
"I told Green he was soft and weak—which is true," Ramsey said Wednesday, per First Coast News' Brian Chojnacki. "I was out there spitting facts."
John Reid of the Florida Times Union provided video of Ramsey's comments:
In the second quarter of Sunday's game, Ramsey pushed Green to the turf, and Green responded by grabbing Ramsey and pulling him down. The Bengals wideout also threw two punches before continuing to jostle with Ramsey.
After the game, Green told reporters his anger toward Ramsey was less about what was said and more about Ramsey's actions during the first half, per the Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Dehner Jr.:
"I let it slide, let it slide, a couple of plays. It's football. Things get a little rough up there. I didn't mind that. But when you start trying to take cheap shots when I'm not looking and stuff like that, then that's when I've got to defend myself and I'm not going to back down from anybody. I have a son, and I'm not going to teach him to back down from anybody. It's a respect thing. I respect all my opponents … but when it gets to a level, when I'm not looking, and I'm putting myself in danger, I'm going to have to defend myself."
ESPN.com's Michael DiRocco and Katherine Terrell reported security inside EverBank Stadium and Jaguars team personnel had to stop Ramsey from entering the Bengals locker room and approaching Green at halftime. Ramsey returned to the Jaguars locker room without incident.
The NFL decided against suspending Green or Ramsey. The two players will instead face a possible fine of $30,387, which is issued for players who commit their first offense for fighting.