Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase Hit with Over $500,000 in Fines After Suspension – But His Decision to Take Full Blame and Beg the NFL to Lift Jalen Ramsey’s Penalty Has Left the Entire NFL Community in Tears
Cincinnati, Ohio. November 19, 2025
The Cincinnati Bengals are facing a turbulent week after the NFL officially upheld the suspension of Ja’Marr Chase, costing the star receiver more than $500,000 in lost salary and bonuses. Yet what moved the entire NFL community was not the size of the fine. It was the way Chase chose to confront the situation.
The controversy began with a video from the Bengals–Steelers matchup, where Chase was accused of “spitting” toward Jalen Ramsey. He filed an appeal, but the NFL’s disciplinary officer denied it and kept the one-game suspension intact for “unsportsmanlike conduct.”
Instead of reacting defensively or trying to justify himself, Chase stunned the media room with a heartfelt public apology. No excuses. No finger-pointing. Just pure accountability.
“All of this is my fault, and if anyone deserves a harsher punishment it should be me. I do not want Jalen dragged into anything because of a moment of impulse from me, and if possible I am asking the NFL to wipe away every penalty connected to him. I am willing to take it all, because some mistakes are yours to face alone, even if the price you pay might change the entire season.”
His words quickly rippled across the league. Bengals fans who had been furious over the ruling suddenly shifted to sympathy. Steelers fans also expressed respect. Even Ramsey, according to reports, asked the NFL not to penalize him in any way.
Chase is said to have reached out to Ramsey immediately after the game, apologizing and telling him he did not want anyone else harmed by his actions. That private gesture further fueled the public reaction.
For the Bengals, losing Chase at a critical point in the playoff race is undeniably painful. But inside the locker room, players believe his willingness to stand firm and take ownership showed a level of maturity that defines true leadership.
In a chaotic NFL season filled with controversy and pressure week after week, Ja’Marr Chase’s decision to publicly shoulder every part of the blame became a rare moment of clarity. A reminder that behind every helmet and statistic stands a human being capable of humility, responsibility, and protecting others.
And that is why the entire NFL community felt its heart break a little.
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