Story perspectives

C.J. Gardner-Johnson Gets One-Game Unpaid Spit Suspension

By Drooid · Oct 19, 2026, 10:38 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Gardner-Johnson Ejected

Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected for spitting at a Las Vegas Raiders player.
The NFL issued a one-game unpaid suspension starting Oct. 26, marking Gardner-Johnson’s second ejection and the first spitting ejection since 2025.
Gardner-Johnson apologized on social media, calling the gesture inappropriate and unnecessary.
Bills coach Joe Brady said the act reflected poorly on the team and demanded discipline.

Summary

Carter Suspended Spitting

Gardner-Johnson has played for six NFL teams in his eight-year career since entering the league overall.
Only four Bills players—Lawson, Epenesa, Hamlin, and Gardner-Johnson—have been ejected in the past decade during that span recently.
The league officially suspended Jalen Carter and Ja'Marr Chase for spitting last season, reflecting stricter enforcement.

History

Historical Context

The 1970 AFL-NFL merger, overseen by commissioner Pete Rozelle, created a single rulebook and uniform penalties for all 26 franchises. That unified disciplinary framework lets the modern NFL enforce unsportsmanlike-conduct sanctions, such as the one-game unpaid suspension handed to Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for spitting in October 2024, reflecting the league's long-standing zero-tolerance stance.

1 of 3

Gardner-Johnson Ejected

Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected for spitting at a Las Vegas Raiders player.
The NFL issued a one-game unpaid suspension starting Oct. 26, marking Gardner-Johnson’s second ejection and the first spitting ejection since 2025.
Gardner-Johnson apologized on social media, calling the gesture inappropriate and unnecessary.
Bills coach Joe Brady said the act reflected poorly on the team and demanded discipline.

1 / 3