Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase has issued a formal apology after the Week 11 incident in Pittsburgh that resulted in his suspension and a league investigation.
According to WTAJ, Chase addressed the situation on Monday, November 24, through a detailed statement posted to Instagram, acknowledging that the altercation with Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey did not reflect the standards he sets for himself on or off the field.
In his message, Chase directly addressed the Steelers organization, writing, “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.”
The apology marks Chase’s first public acknowledgment of the spitting incident since the video surfaced following the Bengals’ loss in Pittsburgh.
Chase also extended his apology to the Bengals front office, players, coaches, and fans. He noted that he fell short of the leadership example he aims to set. “As someone who strives to lead with character and authenticity, I should have taken immediate accountability for what happened,” he wrote, adding that he intends to use the experience as a turning point moving forward.
The incident occurred early in the fourth quarter of the Bengals’ Week 11 matchup, where emotions were already heightened following an earlier scuffle between the two players.
After Ramsey struck Chase’s helmet, players from both sidelines intervened. Ramsey was ejected for his second personal foul of the game, and Chase later received a one-game suspension and financial penalties totaling roughly $500,000. The league subsequently fined Ramsey $14,491.
Pittsburgh head coach Mike Tomlin initially criticized Ramsey’s ejection following the game but later defended his player’s reaction. “I have no message if someone spits in your face. Do what comes natural,” Tomlin said last week when asked about the situation.
Chase’s suspension kept him out of the Bengals’ Week 12 matchup against the New England Patriots, which Cincinnati lost 26–20. His absence removed the team’s leading receiving option, though Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said he believed Chase understood the weight of the moment and would take accountability.
Through ten games this season, Chase has totaled 79 receptions for 861 yards and five touchdowns, continuing to be one of the league’s most productive wideouts. The Bengals and Steelers have already met twice this year and will not meet again until the 2026 season.