The NFL gave the Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase two fines for “unsportsmanlike” conduct Chase displayed when his team faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 1. According to sports writer Ian Rapoport, the first fine was worth $13,261 and the second one was $10,609.
The two fines showed that the league considered Chase to have displayed two misconducts in the game. During that season opener, Chase was captured in a photograph pointing two middle fingers at Pittsburgh safety Minkah Fitzpatrick after a low hit. He was also flagged by the umpire for ripping an opposing defender’s mouthguard off the player’s facemask.
#Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase received two fines this past week, both for unsportsmanlike conduct. The first was for $13,261, the second listed was $10,609.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2022
After the incident, Chase was asked about his thoughts on the viral photo of him showing the obscene gesture to Fitzpatrick.
“I’m not gonna talk about that,” Chase responded, calling the photo “pretty cool.”
Fitzpatrick was subjected to two roughness penalties in the game but did not receive a fine from the NFL. The safety was involved in a hit that caused Cincinnati WR Tee Higgins to sustain a minor concussion. Higgins is expected to return later in the season.
In an interview, Fitzpatrick expressed his disagreement about the penalties but said that “it is what it is.”
Unsportsmanlike conduct regulation
Chase was not the only player receiving fines from the NFL in Week 1, although he paid the highest among these fined players. The Seattle Seahawks Jamal Adams was also fined $10,609 for his conduct in a game against the Denver Broncos.
Meanwhile, the Broncos LB Jonathon Cooper was fined $4,723 while the Buffalo Bills CB Dane Jackson received a $4,972 fine. As per NFL regulation, the money will go to charities chosen by the league.
was it because of this? pic.twitter.com/wwYlDADjmf
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) September 17, 2022
The Competition Committee and the Coaches’ Subcommittee of the league decided to tighten the unsportsmanlike conduct rule for this season.
According to Troy Vincent, the league’s VP of football operations, things were “out of control” last season. In the 2021-22 season, there were 61 taunting penalties recorded.
“Sportsmanship has always been the core,” Vincent said. “The rules are very clear. Don’t do it toward the opponent’s sideline or at the opponent.
“That doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate, you can’t have fun, you can’t have spontaneous actions. You can jump, flip, celebrate. You just can’t do it at an opponent.”
Cincinnati Bengals in 2022-23 season
The Bengals lost to the Steelers 23-20 last week and are scheduled to face each other again in November. The AFC North rivals have met in 106 games throughout NFL history. The Steelers lead over the Bengals by winning a total of 68 games.
After losing to Pittsburgh, Cincinnati sits fourth in the division. Last year, the Bengals finished first in the AFC North, posting 10 wins out of 7 while the Steelers ranked 2.
This week, the Bengals will face the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas previously lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19-3.
For this game against the Cowboys, Higgins’ status is questionable as he is still recovering from his injury.
Chase’s backup WRs for the game include Tyler Boyd and Mike Thomas. Thomas had played on the field in Week 1 after Higgins’ injury.
Other injury reports from the Bengals include DT Josh Tupou (shin) and TE Devin Asiasi (quadriceps).