The National Football League suspended Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson for one game without pay following an incident in which he spat at Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. The suspension was announced on Monday after officials ejected Gardner-Johnson late in the second quarter of Sunday's game at Allegiant Stadium. The ejection resulted in an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty that positioned the Raiders comfortably down the field before halftime, allowing Las Vegas to kick a field goal to tie the score. Despite the setback, the Bills held on to win the contest 33-30.
Gardner-Johnson issued an apology on social media after the game, describing his actions as inappropriate and unnecessary. In a post on Instagram stories, he stated that there is no excuse for his conduct and that he takes full accountability. He emphasized that regardless of how intense the competition becomes, he must hold himself to a higher standard.
The incident is not the first time Gardner-Johnson's behavior has drawn disciplinary attention or on-field confrontations. Last season, Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was fined $57,222 and stripped of a game check for spitting at Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott during Week 1. Gardner-Johnson's history of altercations includes a 2020 incident where New Orleans Saints teammate Michael Thomas punched him during practice after reportedly being provoked. Later that same season, Chicago Bears receiver Javon Wims threw a right hook at Gardner-Johnson during a live game after the safety ripped Wims' mouthpiece from his helmet. The following year, Bears receiver Anthony Miller was ejected for throwing a punch at Gardner-Johnson during a playoff game.
Gardner-Johnson will miss the Bills' upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens as a result of the suspension.