Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase did not get the message he wanted from the NFL Referees Association following Cincinnati's narrow 26-25 defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday.
Chase thought Kansas City Chiefs defender Isiah McDuffie committed an illegal hip-drop tackle against him in the fourth quarter and immediately remonstrated to referee Allen Baynes. Instead of getting the penalty he wanted, fellow ref Alex Kemp threw a flag against Chase for using abusive language against an official.
Scott Green, the Executive Director of the NFL Referees Association, backed up Kemp instead of Green in a statement released Monday: “The situation was well handled by Alex Kemp, and it was the appropriate response." In addition, Chase will likely be looking at a fine from the league for his language used towards an official.
The Bengals were driving into Chiefs territory with less than 11 minutes left in the fourth quarter while trailing 23-22. Quarterback Joe Burrow completed a short slant to Chase to set up a third-and-seven from the Kansas City 30 yard-line.
Chase protested the tackle to Kemp while Burrow rushed over to hold his star receiver back. The LSU wideout was flagged 15 yards for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Burrow was asked why he ran over to Chase and what happened on the play: "Just trying to de-escalate the situation," he said. "I'm not entirely sure what was said or who threw the flag."
The Bengals were forced to settle for a 53-yard Even McPherson field goal, snagging a 25-23 lead. It wouldn't prove to be large enough, as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs would roar back and win on a game-winning Harrison Butker kick to win 26-25 .
Kemp released a statement via the Referee Pool report on the incident: "It’s pretty clear cut. It’s just simply abusive language toward a game official. That’s all it was. And there was really no interpretation. I’m not going to repeat to you what he said."
He was then asked about the difference between dissenting language and abuse towards an official, maintaining that Chase's language was more so the latter.
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"The simple answer is profanity used by grown men versus direct, personal abusive language towards a game official. That's the line. When that line gets crossed, we simply can't let that happen in pro football."
Kemp also emphasized Chase was informed that McDuffie's tackle did not reach the criteria for a hip-drop tackle. Chase, who declined to comment on the incident, was held to just four catches and 35 yards. The 0-2 Bengals will face the 1-1 Washington Commanders on the road next Monday night.
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