The NFL has suspended Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for one game without pay after cameras captured him spitting toward Las Vegas Raiders players on Sunday. The league said Gardner-Johnson violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1, which applies to "any act which is contrary to the generally understood principles of sportsmanship." Barring an appeal, he will miss the Bills' Week 8 game against the Baltimore Ravens. Buffalo is on a bye this week. Any appeal would be heard by Derrick Brooks, Jordy Nelson, Ron Rivera or James Thrash, who are jointly appointed and paid by the NFL and the NFL Players Association.
Bills coach Joe Brady said Monday there will be no further punishment beyond the league's suspension. Brady remained committed to Gardner-Johnson as a starter when he is eligible to return in Week 9. "C.J. knows that it's hard enough to win in this league with 48 guys, much less 47," Brady said. "It's inexcusable. That's not the standard that we're going to have and play with." He added that he has no problem with Gardner-Johnson's personality or character fit within the organization.
Gardner-Johnson was ejected from Sunday's game after spitting in the direction of Raiders tight end Brock Bowers and center Tyler Linderbaum shortly before halftime. He apologized to his teammates after the Bills' 33-30 victory. Gardner-Johnson said there was no specific incitement for the act, describing the exchange with Bowers as arguing and talking in the heat of the game. Bowers said he did not know what happened beyond some talking.
In a social media post, Gardner-Johnson formally apologized "to my opponent, my teammates, my organization, and everyone who supports me," writing that the gesture was "inappropriate, unnecessary, and not a reflection of the respect I have for him or this game." Referee Shawn Smith said umpire Tra Blake witnessed the spitting toward Bowers, triggering the ejection. It was the second time in two weeks Gardner-Johnson drew a 15-yard penalty and the first ejection of his career since 2024.
Source: ESPN NFL · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing