Buffalo Bills safety CJ Gardner-Johnson has a reputation for being a bit of a dirty player.
In fact, when Gardner-Johnson was named the NFL’s biggest trash talker in a 2023 poll conducted by The Athletic, he won that “award” again the following year when the award was expanded and renamed the NFL’s Most Annoying Player.
He was also known for irritating opposing players and pushing the baseline after the whistle.
So it’s no surprise that Gardner-Johnson found himself in hot water during Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders after video replay showed him appearing to spit on a Raiders player, leading to his ejection.
After the game, when Gardner-Johnson was asked point-blank if he had spat at an opposing player, he did not acknowledge his actions, instead telling reporters that he needed to do better and not get himself into trouble.
“I have to control my emotions,” Gardner-Johnson said. “Nothing. Like I said, it was a momentary rivalry. Everybody saw what happened. Nothing shocking to anybody, we were just competing in a game, a call was made, a flag was thrown, they were chirping, I guess just as a competitor.”
As social media blasted Gardner-Johnson for his actions, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Kyle Juszczyk added fuel to the fire. The Pro Bowler tweeted that CJGJ actually did the same thing to him last season when he was a member of the Chicago Bears.
“This is the least surprising thing ever. @CGJXXIII spit on me last year when we beat Chicago,” Juszczyk posted on X.
Another spitting incident occurred in the NFL last season. Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected from the game on the first play of the season opener after spitting at Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
Carter was suspended for one game (the NFL considered the first week of his suspension since he only played one game) and fined $57,222. Gardner-Johnson will likely face similar punishment.