Things have not been going A.J. Green’s way as of late.  The veteran receiver has not been getting many catches in the last few weeks, with only one for six yards in one half of play against the Jaguars.  As his frustration boiled over, Green lost his cool when he was pushed from behind by Jalen Ramsey.  In response, the Bengals receiver threw Ramsey to the ground and punched him in the helmet several times. 

This led to both players being ejected from the game.  And, afterward Green did apologize. 

"I shouldn't have reacted that way.  I apologize to my teammates, [Bengals owner Mike] Brown, and everybody, because that's not who I am.  It just got the best of me today," Green said, via ESPN. 

.@FOX19Jeremy reporting A.J. said after the incident: "I want him.  Give me one more shot."  pic.twitter.com/W6BgpWA0D3 — Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) November 5, 2017

Green’s ejection was the natural result of throwing punches at an opposing player, but Ramsey’s ejection was more questionable.  This led to a great deal of speculation.  What caused Green to lose go off like that?  Did Ramsey say something to warrant a suspension and a response from Green?  Marvin Lewis seemed to indicate as much after the game. 

Marvin Lewis said AJ Green was set off by something Jalen Ramsey said to him, but he said he was not going to elaborate further. —  Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) November 5, 2017

Getting under Green’s skin is about as difficult as defending him.  He is known for being calm, cool and collected, so engaging in a brawl with Green is probably the last thing Ramsey thought he would be doing today. 

Ramsey’s teammate and fellow cornerback Aaron Colvin also thought that something Ramsey said finally got to Green. 

“I think Jalen was in his head the whole game,” said Colvin, according to EPSN’s Michael DiRocco. “ I don’t think Jalen should have been ejected but at the end of the day we’ll get him back next game.” 

Green put that to rest, however, when addressing the media after the game.  Green said the fight was not caused by anything Ramsey said, but the repeated cheap shots Ramsey had been taking throughout the first half. 

“I understand when you play football, he's not the only person trash talking,” Green told the media after the game, as heard on ESPN 1530. “ I don’t know, he was talking the whole time, I was blocking it out.” 

Green says his reaction, which could bring a suspension from the NFL, had to do with the shove from Ramsey and repeated cheap shots.  He also indicated the ref had spoken to him about Ramsey earlier in the game.l

“The ref came to me (on the) sideline and said next time he puts his hands to your face, we’re going to call it.  I let it slide, let it slide, a couple of plays.  It’s football,” Green said. “ Things get a little rough up there, so I didn’t mind that.  But when you start trying to take cheap shots when I’m not looking and stuff like that, then that’s when I’ve got to defend myself and I’m not going to back down from anybody.  I have a son, and I’m not going to teach him to back down from anybody like that.  It’s a respect thing.  I respect all my opponents … but when it gets to a level, when I’m not looking and put myself in danger, I’m going to have to defend myself.” 

Some fans were concerned Green’s frustration was related to the Bengals’ record.  The star receiver denied anything of the sort.  He said it had nothing to do with not getting the ball in this or any other game this season. 

“I’m an ultimate team player,” Green said. “ Of course I want the ball every game, but thats not going to happen so it has nothing to do with that.” 

After thinking on it for two quarters, Green sounded remorseful following the game. 

“Me as a man, I have to control my emotion better...I cant put myself in a situation like that where I hurt my team,” he said. “ I'm a week-to-week guy, I don't let the game effect where I am...He took it to the next level and I shouldn’t have reacted that way.” 

Green apologized both on the record to the media and to the locker room. 

We didn’t hear from Ramsey who was not in the Jaguars’ locker room after the game. 

A.J. Green spoke after the game.  Jalen Ramsey did not.  Green said he will obviously accept whatever punishment league doles out. —  Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) November 5, 2017

The head official’s explanation of Ramsey’s ejection seems to corroborate the claim that is was about the shove. 

Head ref Brad Allen said Jalen Ramsey was ejected for a flagrant personal foul (shoving A.J. Green) that started the altercation. # Bengals — Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) November 5, 2017

Allen: "We ended up with a fight by Cincinnati but we had the instigator in Jacksonville.  Therefore, they were both disqualified.”  https://t.co/jxmJsZhfbk — Jim Owczarski (@JimOwczarski) November 5, 2017

Apparently, Ramsey was told a different reason for his ejection. 

#Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey was informed that he was ejected because the referee thought he threw a punch.  Will be curious to see NFL reaction — Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 5, 2017

Green might be looking at a fine and a suspension, which is something nobody expected the star receiver would be facing prior to this game. 

According to NFL fine schedule, it's $30,387 for first offense of fighting.#Bengals — Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonCMG) November 5, 2017

The Bengals play the Titans next Sunday in Tennessee and Green very possibly won’t be making the trip.