McAfee: Ja'Marr Chase spit incident crossed a line

Ryan Boman

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Pat McAfee says Ja’Marr Chase spitting incident is "a line you don’t cross” image

TL;DR

  • Steelers' Jalen Ramsey was spat on by Bengals' Ja'Marr Chase during a game.
  • The Pat McAfee Show discussed the unsportsmanlike act and potential punishments.
  • Coach Mike Tomlin stated he has no message if someone spits in your face.
  • Spitting on a player is considered a line that should not be crossed in sports.

Following Steelers cornerback Jalen Rams ey being spat on during Sunday's matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals by Receiver Ja'Marr Chase, considerable criticism arose from both fans and onlookers. As often happens in such situations, an immediate outcry ensued.

The panel on the Pat McAfee Show discussed how it was never the right reaction to hawk a loogie at a fellow player, and what the ultimate punishment might be. They even laughed at how Chase's true retribution could come during the offseason. But first, McAfee explored Steelers Coach Mike Tomlin's reaction to the unsportsmanlike act.

"Ja'Marr Chase and Jalen Ramsey, obviously, the situation we're referring to," McAfee said, before playing up the drama. "[Tomlin] was asked about 'spitgate', the sullying of the sport by spitting happening in between the lines... He was asked about what his message was to the team."

MORE: Steelers' Mike Tomlin offers reaction to Ja'Marr Chase spitting on Jalen Ramsey

McAfee then played an audio recording of the 18-year veteran coach's remarks to reporters concerning the on-field event.

"I have no message if someone spits in your face," Tomlin said. "Do what comes natural."

Did Pat McAfee believe the penalty was appropriate for the offense?

McAfee stated that he believed Tomlin's response was: "If you want to get punched in the face? Then spit in somebody's face."

"It feels like everybody in sports views spitting the exact same way... It's something you don't do, unless you want to get into a fight."

One of his fellow panelists described it as a "line you don't cross", a message which McAfee agreed on and echoed.

"I guess you can bait a fight immediately if you want to spit in somebody's face, and that's the sad part of it all."

Contributing Writer