{
  "id": 18147536,
  "title": "NFL Team Releases Player After Really Gross Act On The Field",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/nfl-team-releases-player-after-really-gross-act-on-the-field",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-11-04T16:30:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nfl-team-releases-player-really-163020667.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Buffalo Bills released safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson on Tuesday, following his suspension and reinstatement due to spitting at an opponent. Gardner-Johnson, 28, had started the team's first six games before his brief tenure ended less than three weeks later. The incident occurred during a Week 6 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, where he was ejected for spitting in the direction of tight end Brock Bowers. The NFL subsequently suspended him without pay for one game, a penalty he served during Buffalo's Week 8 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.\n\nIn a post on Instagram, Gardner-Johnson admitted responsibility for his actions. Sports Network reported that the Bills' decision was influenced more by inconsistencies in Gardner-Johnson's performance than the spitting incident. Gardner-Johnson's replacement, Damar Hamlin, recorded five tackles and broke up a pass against the Ravens. The Bills also activated rookie Jalon Kilgore and elevated veteran Geno Stone from the practice squad for the Baltimore game.\n\nGardner-Johnson's release marks a pattern of short stints around the league. Since leaving New Orleans following the 2021 season, he has been with Philadelphia, Detroit, Houston, Baltimore, Chicago, and now Buffalo. He played in a game for the Ravens but did not contribute. Gardner-Johnson helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX in 2024 and has 21 interceptions in 93 career regular-season games.",
  "summary": "The former Super Bowl winner had apologized for what he did.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}