Ja’Marr Chase provided firing ammo to NFL fans during a pre-game interview. The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver made a comment about his academic efforts during his time at LSU.
Chase, selected fifth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, put up jaw-dropping numbers in college, breaking SEC records with 1,780 receiving yards in 2019. But his academic dedication, it seems, wasn’t as remarkable as his performance on the field.
NFL Fans Didn’t Go Easy on Ja’Marr Chase
When asked if preparing for the upcoming Thursday night game against the Baltimore Ravens felt like cramming for a test, Chase replied, “I didn’t study in school. It’s a lot, ’cause you just gotta stay focused… just gotta stay locked in when we on the field, just pay attention,” said Chase.
I asked Ja'Marr Chase if preparing for a Thursday night game (short week) feels like cramming for a test in school.
"I didn't study in school." 🤣#Bengals @WCPO pic.twitter.com/JlVDgZG5ag
— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) November 5, 2024
Combined with his earlier remark, the comment, while offhand, sparked a flurry of reactions online, with fans taking to social media to weigh in on the young star’s blunt admission.
Fans were quick to express their disappointment. One user on X wrote, “Not something to be proud of.”
Not something to be proud of
— Nick (@Tacko_OG) November 5, 2024
Another commented, “hope my kids don’t see that. Sheesh.”
One fan said, “Yes, Ja’Marr isn’t known for his GPA, that’s for sure.”
Another wrote: “This certainly won’t come back to haunt him when the Bengals lose, right?”
“Lol he literally looks like he ain’t study not one book,” commented one more.
One fan said, “Somehow the Bengals always seem to get the most classless players.”
Despite the backlash, Chase focuses on what matters most to Bengals fans — delivering on the field. However, it has not been a fairytale season so far for the 24-year-old athlete. Chase has averaged 50.7 receiving yards in the last three games, which doesn’t do justice to his potential.
In last week’s 41-24 win over the Raiders, Chase registered seven catches for 47 yards, although he didn’t find the end zone. Lately, his chemistry with Joe Burrow has been causing trouble for head coach Zac Taylor.
If we look at the upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 10, Chase could get a chance to break the shackles. The Ravens’ secondary has been facilitating plenty of passing yards this season, a total of 2,718 yards in nine games. This gives Chase a prime opportunity to exploit their vulnerabilities and potentially end his touchdown drought.
Also read: Bengals vs. Ravens Pick and Prediction: Can Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow Repeat Their Last Matchup?
After a rough 1-4 start, Cincinnati is gaining momentum with three wins in the last four games. The Bengals will be looking to make it two wins in five days on Thursday as they take on a Ravens team averaging a robust 31.4 points per game, meaning they’ll likely need every bit of firepower to keep pace in what’s shaping up to be a promising AFC North clash.