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Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase let his emotions get the better of him when he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after yelling at the referees in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
After the game, referee Alex Kemp explained that Chase used “abusive language” that resulted in the penalty:
Charlie Goldsmith @CharlieG__
Kemp: I’m not going to repeat to you what he said, but there was no interpretation with the language that he used. Just abusive language.
Charlie Goldsmith @CharlieG__
Kemp: (Chase) was questioning the tackle. He thought he was hip dropped tackled.
We informed him that we did not feel it was a hip drop tackle.
Chase wasn’t in the mood to discuss the penalty after the game, declining to discuss the penalty:
Charlie Goldsmith @CharlieG__
Chase: Just got to learn from it and move on.
He declines to talk more about the penalty.
CBS Sports’ Tracy Wolfson reported during the game that Chase’s frustration stemmed from his feeling that he was the subject of a hip-drop tackle:
Chase was limited to four catches for 35 yards in the loss. The Chiefs earned the win on a 51-yard field goal by Harrison Butker as time expired after a defensive pass interference penalty on a fourth-down pass by Patrick Mahomes moved them into field goal range.
The loss was especially disappointing after Chase boldly claimed earlier this week that Cincinnati, not Kansas City, is “the team to beat in the AFC.” After his lackluster performance, Chase gave short answers while speaking to reporters and said, “I don’t like losing” when asked about his frustration level.
Chase also had a disappointing showing in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, finishing with just six catches for 62 yards in a 16-10 loss. The 24-year-old is still trying to find his form after sitting out all of training camp while holding out for a new contract.
After not receiving the deal he desired, Chase will not resume negotiations with the Bengals during the 2024 season, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. The three-time Pro Bowler reportedly “believes the Bengals misled him when they told him at the end of last season, and again during the offseason, he would get an extension that ultimately did not happen.”
Chase will have to get over his frustrations quickly to help the Bengals avoid falling into a 0-3 hole when they return to action on Monday Night Football against the Washington Commanders.
