C.J. Gardner-Johnson ejected for spitting on Brock Bowers in latest controversy involving Bills safety originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has rarely avoided the spotlight across his eight-year NFL career. He had no problem continuing that trend on Sunday evening.
The Bills safety was banished from Buffalo's Week 6 clash with the Raiders, drawing the referee's ire after getting into it with Las Vegas star Brock Bowers. A closer look at their dust-up revealed that Gardner-Johnson was more than deserving of his punishment.
Here's what you need to know.
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C.J. Gardner-Johnson ejected for spitting on Brock Bowers
Gardner-Johnson was served his walking papers shortly before halftime commenced. Buffalo's starting safety was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after jawing with Bowers, leading to his dismissal.
At first, it was unclear why Gardner-Johnson was ejected from the contest. Trash talk is a regular occurrence across the NFL. Rarely does it draw the referee's whistles.
Replay of the incident revealed just why Gardner-Johnson was banished to the locker room, however. Gardner-Johnson appeared to attempt to spit on Bowers.
C.J. Gardner-Johnson has been ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct https://t.co/S2ME5wNiRT
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2026
Tyler Linderbaum was alert to the act, calling the umpire over the investigate the biological attack. His flag would fly moments later.
Gardner-Johnson's actions would draw rebuke from a host of different personalities, including CBS' broadcast crew. Nate Burleson and Bill Cowher called out the veteran for his act, labeling it as a dereliction of his duty as a Bills player.
"What are you doing???" - @nateburleson "That's selfish" - @CowherCBS The crew reacts to C.J. Gardner-Johnson getting kicked out of the game for spitting https://t.co/7JZ6QxU8fo
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) October 18, 2026
Damar Hamlin replaced Gardner-Johnson in Buffalo's secondary. The ejection represents the second of Gardner-Johnson's professional career; as a member of the Eagles, he was tossed in a 2024 tilt with the Commanders after receiving two unsportsmanlike conduct flags.
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