Ja’Marr Chase Fined for Referee Outburst in Bengals vs. Chiefs Game

Ja’Marr Chase’s temper flared during a recent game, and it came at a cost. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver was fined $31,599 for verbally abusing a referee during the match against the Kansas City Chiefs last Sunday. Chase confronted official Alex Kemp over what he believed was an illegal hip-drop tackle, which led to an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty in the game’s fourth quarter.

Despite Chase’s complaints, the NFL reviewed the incident and found no evidence of the illegal tackle he was upset about. The Chiefs managed to edge out the Bengals with a narrow 26-25 victory at Arrowhead Stadium.

In contrast, another incident from the same weekend did draw the league’s attention. Chicago Bears linebacker T.J. Edwards was fined $16,883 for committing a hip-drop tackle during a game against the Houston Texans. This tackle resulted in an injury to Texans running back Joe Mixon, who was unable to return after suffering an ankle injury.

Both Mixon and Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans expressed their agreement that it was a violation of the rules. Mixon took to X, stating, “The NFL and NFLPA made it a rule and an emphasis for a reason. Time to put your money where your mouth is.” Due to the injury, Mixon did not participate in practice throughout the week and is currently listed as doubtful for an upcoming matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.

Alongside Edwards, three other players faced fines for hip-drop tackles. Chiefs linebacker Nick Bolton received $16,883 for an open-field tackle against Bengals rookie tight end Erick All Jr. New York Jets linebacker C.J. Mosley was fined the same amount for his tackle on Tennessee Titans receiver Tyler Boyd. Meanwhile, Los Angeles Rams defensive end Desjuan Johnson was fined $5,191 for a hip-drop tackle against Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson.

Interestingly, none of these infractions were called during the games in which they occurred but were identified later during the NFL’s review process. This underscores what officials anticipated when they implemented the ban on hip-drop tackles in the spring: while violations may not be enforced in real-time, they are subject to scrutiny afterward.

This week saw a notable uptick in hip-drop fines, with four violations reported, doubling the total from Week 1.

Additionally, there were fines for two players due to inappropriate celebrations in the end zone. Atlanta Falcons receiver Drake London and New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr were each fined $14,069 for unsportsmanlike conduct. London was penalized for mimicking spraying gunfire during his celebration, while Carr’s tribute to the legendary Michael Jackson included a sexually suggestive thrust that crossed the line of acceptable behavior.

The ongoing scrutiny around player conduct, especially regarding tackle techniques and celebrations, reflects the NFL’s commitment to maintaining integrity and player safety. As the league continues to enforce these rules, players may need to adjust their behaviors on the field to avoid financial penalties.