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Gardner-Johnson Ejected for Spitting at Raiders Player
Confirmed
In Short: Gardner-Johnson, known for his fiery competitiveness, had been a key player in the Bills' defense due to his versatility in the secondary.
Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from the Buffalo Bills' game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter after spitting at Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, an incident that led to his automatic ejection from the game.
Gardner-Johnson, known for his fiery competitiveness, had been a key player in the Bills' defense due to his versatility in the secondary. However, his actions during the game against the Raiders resulted in a significant loss for the team, as he was ejected in the second quarter.
The incident occurred during a heated exchange between Gardner-Johnson and Bowers, leading to Gardner-Johnson spitting in Bowers' direction. Referee Shawn Smith confirmed that umpire Tra Blake witnessed the act, which triggered Gardner-Johnson's ejection.
Gardner-Johnson, who signed a one-year deal with the Bills worth up to $6 million this year, has had a series of incidents this season. He was fined $11,194 following a game against the Rams for striking/kicking/kneeing an opponent, and he stirred controversy after a game against the Patriots.
Despite the ejection, the Bills managed to hold on to a 33-30 victory over the Raiders. However, the Raiders' offense threw for 313 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, highlighting the impact of Gardner-Johnson's absence from the defense.
Gardner-Johnson apologized to his teammates postgame, acknowledging that he needs to be a better veteran moving forward. 'We were just arguing and talking,' he told reporters, attempting to downplay the severity of the incident.
Raiders coach Klint Kubiak noted that his team was prepared for such incidents, instructing his players to 'stand by me on the sideline' if they engaged in any altercations. Bowers, when asked about the incident, said, 'It was nothing negative. He ain't do nothing to me. It was just in the heat of the game arguing and talking s---.'
This was the second ejection of Gardner-Johnson's NFL career, with the first occurring in 2024 due to two personal foul penalties in the same game. The Bills' coach Joe Brady requested an apology from Gardner-Johnson for the incident.
What this adds
The incident highlights the ongoing issues with unsportsmanlike conduct in the NFL, with Gardner-Johnson's actions potentially leading to further disciplinary action from the league.
What's confirmed
- Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected from the Buffalo Bills' game against the Las Vegas Raiders in the second quarter after spitting at Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, an incident that led to his automatic ejection from the game.
- Gardner-Johnson, known for his fiery competitiveness, had been a key player in the Bills' defense due to his versatility in the secondary. However, his actions during the game against the Raiders resulted in a significant loss for the team, as he was ejected in the second quarter.
- The incident occurred during a heated exchange between Gardner-Johnson and Bowers, leading to Gardner-Johnson spitting in Bowers' direction. Referee Shawn Smith confirmed that umpire Tra Blake witnessed the act, which triggered Gardner-Johnson's ejection.
- Gardner-Johnson, who signed a one-year deal with the Bills worth up to $6 million this year, has had a series of incidents this season. He was fined $11,194 following a game against the Rams for striking/kicking/kneeing an opponent, and he stirred controversy after a game against the Patriots.
- Despite the ejection, the Bills managed to hold on to a 33-30 victory over the Raiders. However, the Raiders' offense threw for 313 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns, highlighting the impact of Gardner-Johnson's absence from the defense.
- Gardner-Johnson apologized to his teammates postgame, acknowledging that he needs to be a better veteran moving forward. 'We were just arguing and talking,' he told reporters, attempting to downplay the severity of the incident.
- This was the second ejection of Gardner-Johnson's NFL career, with the first occurring in 2024 due to two personal foul penalties in the same game. The Bills' coach Joe Brady requested an apology from Gardner-Johnson for the incident.
What's still developing
- One of the game's most fiery competitors, he has been a key part of the Bills' defense thanks to his versatility in the secondary, so it's a big loss Sunday and potentially beyond, should the NFL choose to suspend Gardner-Johnson.
- Last year, Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter got ejected six seconds into the first game of the season for spitting on Dak Prescott, and later in the season, Ja'Marr Chase got suspended one game for spitting on Jalen Ramsey (who got ejected for punching Chase after the alleged spitting incident).
- Referees disqualified Gardner-Johnson after he spat in the direction of Bowers and Raiders center Tyler Linderbaum just minutes before halftime.
- "Just talking a little bit, and then... I don't know."
- The incident came after a play where Gardner-Johnson and Bowers jawed back-and-forth, but Gardner-Johnson says there wasn't a specific incitement that warranted the flagrant act.
- Gardner-Johnson’s eventful start to the 2026 season added another chapter on Sunday.
- Gardner-Johnson was hit with another $11,194 fine following last Monday’s 37-34 overtime win over the Rams, this time for striking/kicking/kneeing on a play late in regulation.
- In Week 2, the NFL fined Gardner-Johnson $11,194 for a hip drop tackle on Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs on the first snap of the third quarter of Buffalo’s 41-31 win.
- Efton Chism III made a diving, one-handed touchdown catch to win the game, and Gardner-Johnson brushed it off afterward, calling Chism a "practice squad player" who "made a hell of a catch."