But then came the video — not from a broadcast camera, but from a sideline angle, captured by FOX19 sports photographer Austin Briski. In that field-level shot, many believe it’s clear: Chase leans forward, and something flies from his mouth, landing toward Ramsey’s face or jersey. Heavy Sports+2https://www.fox19.com+2
That video reignited the debate. Some fans and analysts said it proved Ramsey’s claim. Others warned of the danger of turning a sideline clip into a final judgment without full context.
The Fallout: Emotions and Reactions
Heyward wasn’t alone in his outrage. Former Steeler safety Ryan Clark echoed his feelings, calling it “the most disrespectful thing you can do … unacceptable,” and pushed for the harshest punishment the league can give. steelersdepot.com
Young linebacker Nick Herbig, another Steelers voice, backed Ramsey too. “If he did that, that’s lame,” Herbig told reporters. “I have his back 100 %. Whatever happens, happens.” SteelerNation.com
On the social media front, reactions ran hot. Many Steelers fans saw the spit as unforgivable — a provocation that went beyond trash talk. On Reddit, fans shared their anger:
“That’s assault … I hope at the least Ramsey is given an apology … Spitting on somebody is the most vile … ultimate sign of disrespect … NFL should come down hard.” Reddit
“Even when we know it’s coming … it’s a blink‑and‑you‑miss‑it moment … that’s when the league should step in.” Reddit
Some called for rule changes — suggesting spitting should be reviewable, punishable by suspensions, not just fines.
The Stakes: Precedent and Penalties
The NFL does have a precedent. Earlier in the 2025 season, Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott, and the league later treated that ejection as a one-game suspension. NFL.com+1
Now, Chase faces potential discipline. According to reports, a suspension is possible — though some insiders believe a fine is more likely. Yahoo Thể Thao
Ramsey, already ejected, could face further punishment too, though his camp will argue the provocation was severe and clearly caught on video.
The Human Dimension: Beyond the Headlines
For Heyward, this isn’t just about enforcing rules. It’s about respect, dignity, and what it means to be a competitor. In his mind, spitting crosses a line that makes the game less about sport, more about personal insult.
In the locker room, players on both sides will be watching closely. How the NFL responds could ripple beyond Week 12 — affecting how future conflicts are handled, how respect is maintained, how discipline is enforced.
And for Ramsey, it’s personal. The ejection cost his team a trusted defender. But he’s argued repeatedly that he would have acted the same way, even if the penalty came, because his pride — his self-respect — was violated.
A Forest in Shadows: Reflection
Back in that mist-shrouded clearing, the traveler stared down the creature, heart hammering, unsettled by the animal’s silent challenge. The beast didn’t roar or strike — it judged. It tested. The traveler finally lowered his eyes, bowed his head in respect, and backed slowly away, forever marked by what he had witnessed.
Similarly, this incident between Heyward, Ramsey, and Chase is not just another sideline scuffle. It is a reckoning: about respect, accountability, and the boundaries of competition.
The NFL now faces a choice. Will it enforce its rules firmly? Will it demand more than just a fine — perhaps a suspension? Will it send a message that spitting, in a game built on sweat and grit, is beyond just unsportsmanlike — it’s unacceptable?
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward was highly critical of Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase after he spit on cornerback Jalen Ramsey in Week 11.
Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward moved into second place on the Pittsburgh Steelers all-time games played list Sunday. With that longevity, Heyward is clearly one of the top leaders in the team’s locker room.
That means when Heyward speaks, his teammates and the rest of the NFL do a lot of listening.
Following Week 11, the All-Pro defensive lineman had some rather negative things to say about Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Heyward suggested to the media the Bengals wideout didn’t deserve to be in the NFL because of his Week 11 spitting incident.
“Two competitors, but one guy took it too far,” Heyward said of Chase and Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey, via The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Our guy got penalized, but if you wanna spit on a guy, you don’t belong in the game.”
Jalen Ramsey told reporters that Chase spit on him during the fourth quarter of the Steelers-Bengals matchup. In response, Ramsey punched Chase, which resulted in an ejection for the defensive back. It wasn’t until after the game was the reasoning behind Ramsey’s punch revealed.
Chase denied spitting on Ramsey when he spoke to reporters following the game. However, video from Fox 19 sports photographer Austin Briski showed Chase clearly spat at Ramsey just before the defensive back took a swing at him.
Cameron Heyward Calls for NFL to Take Action Against Ja’Marr Chase
There’s no situation where it’s acceptable to throw a punch at another player in the NFL. Punches thrown will always result in an ejection, which puts one’s team at a disadvantage.
Ramsey could face further disciplinary action through a suspension. Other defenders around the league such as Brian Branch and Daron Payne served one-game suspensions after throwing a punch.
But Heyward essentially argued Ramsey’s reaction was understandable given the circumstances with Chase. The Steelers defensive tackle made that argument while seemingly delivering a plea to the league to also punish the Bengals receiver.
“Hopefully the NFL handles it,” Heyward said, via Steelers Depot’s Alex Kozora. “We all tried to calm [Ramsey] down, but if a man spits at you, that’s a different reaction than you should ever have to deal with.”
Video Shows Chase Spit at Jalen Ramsey
When he talked to reporters after the Week 11 showdown, the Bengals receiver tried to put to rest any idea of him spitting at Ramsey. But Briski’s video caught what Chase did.
“Field-level view of the second altercation between Ja’Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey,” Briski posted on X as a caption to his video. “Chase said, ‘I didn’t spit on nobody.’
“The video clearly shows he did.”
The video is circulating around the sports media world. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Sunday evening that an NFL spokesman told him the league “will be reviewing the incident.”
Philadelphia Eagles defensive lineman Jalen Carter didn’t receive a suspension from the league for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott in Week 1. However, the incident happened before the first snap of the game, and Carter received an ejection for spitting.
Therefore, the league considered Carter’s ejection as a one-game suspension. Carter also received a $57,222 fine.
Chase wasn’t ejected for spitting at Ramsey.
“No. Obviously, we did not. We did not see anything that rose to that level at all,” referee Bill Vinovich told reporters after the contest, via New York Post’s Christian Arnold.
Dave Holcomb is a sports reporter covering the NFL and MLB for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions. Originally from Pittsburgh, Holcomb has covered college and professional sports for outlets including FanSided, Rotowire and Yardbarker. More about Dave Holcomb
