Ja'Marr Chase of the Bengals used abusive language towards the referee, resulting in a crucial penalty, according to an official statement.

During the Bengals' loss to the Chiefs, Ja'Marr Chase was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct after an emotional outburst directed at a referee.

When Joe Burrow found Chase for a 4-yard completion at the Chiefs’ 34-yard line, Chase couldn't help but give referee Alex Kemp an earful about the tackle from Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie as he got back up to head to the huddle.

The penalty halted the Bengals' momentum and led to an Evan McPherson field goal.

The possibility of getting six, seven, or eight points was enormous. The Chiefs eventually marched down the field and set up Harrison Butker for the game-winning field goal.

According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, Kemp stated that officials informed Chase they didn't believe McDuffie's tackle was a hip-drop, which would have led to a penalty.

"The reasoning for the penalty was straightforward, as he stated. It was nothing more than abusive language directed at a game official. There was no ambiguity or interpretation involved. I won't repeat the specific language he used, but it was clearly abusive."

Kemp pointed out why Chase’s words crossed the line with him.

On the sideline, head coach Zac Taylor attempted to console an agitated Chase, who had slammed his helmet onto the ground in anger.

"Kemp stated that the boundary between profanity used by grown men and direct, personal abusive language toward a game official has been crossed, and this cannot be tolerated in professional football."

Chase declined to talk about the incident after the game.

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