CJ Gardner-Johnson ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, and it was absolutely disgusting

CJ Gardner-Johnson has a history of bad behavior on the football field. Gardner-Johnson has been fined many times throughout his NFL career for dirty hits and chippy play that crossed the line, and he was also ejected from a game in 2024 with the Philadelphia Eagles for two unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Gardner-Johnson signed with the Buffalo Bills over the offseason, and he was booted from the team’s Week 6 game against the Las Vegas Raiders after an inappropriate interaction with Brock Bowers.

Gardner-Johnson and Bowers were jawing after a play, and the Bills defensive back spit at him as he headed back into the huddle. That’s a big no-no in the NFL, and the refs ejected Gardner-Johnson with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

What happened to having respect for your opponents? Watch the video of Gardner-Johnson spitting on Bowers here:

Here’s a closer look at the spitting moment:

The NFL was wise to start ejecting players for spitting on their opponents. Last season, Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter was ejected for spitting at Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott.

How does Gardner-Johnson keep finding himself in these situations? I remember when Chicago Bears WR Javon Wims punched him for talking trash back in 2020 when he was on the New Orleans Saints. There’s a reason why he wears out his welcome with teams so quickly.

Football is a violence, collision-based game, but players on both sides still need to have respect for each other. Gardner-Johnson is far from a star, but he can be a good player in his role when he has his head on straight. Hopefully this ejection teaches him a lesson, but I doubt it.