KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in the fourth quarter of Cincinnati’s 26-25 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday following an interaction that officials said crossed the line.
Referee Alex Kemp, who threw the flag, said in a pool report after the game that Chase believed he was taken down by Kansas City cornerback Trent McDuffie with a hip-drop tackle, a controversial maneuver that was banned this offseason because of the injury risk the play presents.
According to Kemp, Chase’s questioning of the play led to an exchange that produced “abusive language” that went far beyond any dissent over a perceived missed call.
“The simple answer is, profanity used by grown men versus direct, personal abusive language towards a game official,” Kemp said when asked about the difference between disagreement and abuse. “That’s the line. When that line gets crossed, we simply can’t let that happen in pro football.”
Chase, who finished with 4 catches on 5 targets for 35 yards, declined to comment on the penalty after the game.