Lead ref Bill Vinovich explains Jalen Ramsey ejection, Ja'Marr Chase spit controversy

Following a back-and-forth between Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase in postgame interviews, the NFL has added some clarity to a sequence that saw Ramsey ejected. He was ejected after throwing a punch at Chase.

Ramsey claims that Chase spit on him prior to the punch. That’s what set him off and caused such a visceral reaction.

The NFL could not corroborate any spitting. A pool reporter questioned the officiating crew about the ejection after the game.

“There was a scuffle between the two,” referee Bill Vinovich said. “We had been dealing with it all day and then it kind of escalated. They were both grabbing each other’s facemasks.”

Vinovich said he later viewed Jalen Ramsey punching Chase, which led to the ejection in the contest. He did not, however, see any spitting that might have led to the swing.

“No. Obviously, we did not,” Vinovich said. “We did not see anything that rose to that level at all.”

For his part, Chase denied the accusations from Jalen Ramsey. He weighed in moments after Ramsey met with media and made the accusation.

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