Buffalo Bills safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson was ejected and flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after spitting on Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers on Sunday, October 18.
The bizarre incident happened late in the second quarter of the teams’ game at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, as the two players were jawing with one another after a play.
CBS Sports cameras picked up the spit flying out of Gardner-Johnson’s mouth, which earned harsh criticism from legendary play-by-play announcer Jim Nantz.
“This is about as disrespectful as it gets,” Nantz, 67, said.
Rules analyst Gene Steratore was brought in for commentary, calling the act “something we just don’t want to see in the game.”
The CBS Sports halftime panel had similar thoughts, with an impassioned Nate Burleson calling out Gardner-Johnson for the move.
“What are you doing?” Burleson, 45, questioned. “I get it, scuffles happen. Jaw jacking happens. But you can’t do this. One, it’s childish, it’s immature. And it’s unprofessional. You’re supposed to be one of the veterans on the team and you get kicked out of the game for spitting?”
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct pic.twitter.com/S2ME5wNiRT
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2026
Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Bill Cowher called Gardner-Johnson “selfish.”
“In games like this, your ability to control your emotions and stay focused will be the difference in this game,” Cowher, 69, added.
Gardner-Johnson signed a one-year, $6 million contract with the Bills in March.
The NFL veteran, who is currently playing with his sixth franchise, is no stranger to scandal — even when it comes to spitting.
During his time with the New Orleans Saints in 2020, Gardner-Johnson was accused of spitting on Chicago Bears wide receiver Javon Wims amid a scuffle between the players. Gardner-Johnson denied spitting on Wims, though he was ultimately fined $5,128 for his involvement in the fight.
After winning the Super Bowl as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025, Gardner-Johnson wore a sweatshirt that said “Swifties Can LIX My Balls” to the team’s victory parade. The Eagles had defeated Swift’s then-fiancé, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX.
“Should’ve Stayed with that thick s—’, Gardner-Johnson wrote via his Instagram Story shortly after the Super Bowl alongside a photo of him taunting Kelce, 37, during the game.
The post was seemingly a dig at Kelce’s relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Kayla Nicole, who the Chiefs star dated shortly before he began seeing Swift. Kelce and Swift, 36, got married in July.
