The Pittsburgh Steelers moved swiftly Sunday afternoon after defensive back Jalen Ramsey was ejected for throwing a punch at Ja’Marr Chase during a heated fourth-quarter exchange that instantly went viral across the NFL world. The penalty flipped momentum, ignited fan outrage online, and raised immediate questions about whether the league would issue a suspension.
But before the NFL office could even comment, the Steelers made their move.
The team issued internal discipline mirroring the type of penalty used in previous high-profile conduct cases. According to team officials,
Ramsey has been fined $20,000 internally, which represents roughly 20–50% of his weekly salary, with all proceeds going to team-affiliated charities, including longtime Pittsburgh initiatives supporting at-risk youth and community health programs.
Ramsey accepted the fine and left the stadium without public comment, though multiple teammates privately called the situation “messy,” insisting the broadcast didn’t capture the full picture.
And GM Omar Khan made sure the full picture reached the league office.
In a firm but measured statement, Khan defended the franchise’s accountability while demanding fairness in how league discipline is handled.
“Ramsey has been held accountable,” Khan said. “His actions do not reflect the standards we expect. But after reviewing the tape, we also saw Chase spitting at Ramsey first and repeatedly provoking him. I’m urging the NFL to take a closer look, because respect has to go both ways.”
Khan’s strategy is clear. By disciplining the player internally and presenting evidence of mutual provocation, Pittsburgh hopes to pre-empt a league suspension that could weaken the defense heading into a crucial stretch of the season.
The incident adds yet another layer to the heated Steelers-Bengals rivalry, already known for emotional swings, hard hits, and moments that toe the line of control. As the league reviews the footage, Pittsburgh braces for the next chapter in what has become a season-defining storyline.
