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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has issued a groveling apology after he was suspended for spitting on Pittsburgh Steelers rival Jalen Ramsey the week prior.
Chase and Ramsey were seen getting in each others faces before the Steelers star took a swing at the Bengals pass catcher.
After the game, Ramsey claimed Chase spit at him. While Chase denied this, video on the field appeared to show the Bengals star doing just that.
The league suspended Chase for a game, leading to him missing this past Sunday's contest against the New England Patriots.
On Monday, the day after missing the game, Chase posted an apology to his Instagram account. Notably, the apology did not mention Ramsey by name.
'To my team, the fans, the Bengals organization, the Steelers organization, and the NFL community: Please know I am speaking from my heart when I say I take full responsibility for my actions during last Sunday's game at Pittsburgh,' Chase posted.
Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase apologized for a spitting incident leading to a suspension
Chase was seen on video spitting at Steelers defensive back Jalen Ramsey two weeks ago
'What I did was wrong. The circumstances don't matter. My passion for the game is no excuse. There's zero place in our sport - or in life - for that level of disrespect.
'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.
'I also want to apologize to my coaches, teammates, and organization for not meeting my own standards as a leader of this team.
'This has been a tough season with some incredibly hard losses. We've all been frustrated. But instead of stepping up with calm, class, and leadership, I let you down. My having to sit out yesterday's game makes my actions even more inexcusable. I won't let it happen again.
'Finally, I want to apologize to my fans. I do not take anyone who wears my jersey for granted. I do not take my position as a role model lightly. As someone who strives to lead with character and authenticity, I should have taken immediate accountability for what happened.
'I am committed to earning back your respect - not just with words, but with my actions, day after day, on and off the field. I promise to keep learning from this and to set a higher standard for myself moving forward.'
Chase was suspended for one game while Ramsey incurred a fine for his role in the incident
Chase was suspended without pay for the interaction. Meanwhile, Ramsey was fined $14,191 for his role in the incident.
Chase is currently the Bengals' leader in receiving yards with 861, while also leading in receptions (76) and targets (117).
Despite missing the previous game, Chase is still in the top-five in the league for receiving yards - sitting only 23 yards behind Detroit's Amon-Ra St. Brown in fourth place.
Since opening the season 2-0, Cincinnati has only won a single game since - dropping to 3-8.
However, there may be some hope on the horizon after quarterback Joe Burrow announced that he would be returning from an injury.
Burrow is expected to be available for the Bengals' Thanksgiving night game against the Baltimore Ravens.
