The Buffalo Bills beat the Las Vegas Raiders 33-30, and the safety they hired for big games like this one watched the second half from the locker room. C.J. Gardner-Johnson spat at a Las Vegas player just before halftime. On Monday, the NFL answered.
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“The NFL suspended Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson one game without pay for spitting on an opponent,” Tom Pelissero broke the news on X.
The NFL penalty starts October 26, which means Gardner-Johnson will miss the November 1 game against the Baltimore Ravens. He can return to practice on November 2. This one suspension is costing him $200,000, his per-game pay.
Referee Shawn Smith said an umpire saw the spit while two players jawed, and Gardner-Johnson was ejected before halftime. He did not fight the call and even told reporters after the game he was sorry.
“[Brock Bowers] He never did nothing to me,” Gardner-Johnson said after admitting he let his emotions overpower him in the heated moment. “It’s just in the heat of the game, arguing and talking (expletive), and that gesture wasn’t warranted.”
The safety has been fined several times and was also ejected in 2024 with the Eagles. Buffalo is his sixth team in eight seasons.