There could be more trouble for Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict. Burfict was tossed out of last Sunday’s game against Indianapolis following his helmet-to-helmet hit on Colts tight end Jack Doyle, and the NFL informed Burfict in a letter several days ago that it found another helmet-to-helmet hit from the same game, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). The league will use both hits in its case against Burfict as it moves to suspend him for the rest of the season.
Burfict’s agent, Lamont Smith, has predictably taken exception to the league’s reviewing Colts-Raiders tape to find another illegal (but unpenalized) hit in addition to the one that led to Burfict’s ejection. In a full-length piece, Rapoport says Smith will argue that the NFL has singled out Burfict and is treating him differently than other players. But, given that Burfict’s history of violent play is largely unprecedented, that may be a tough argument, and Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports says Burfict is likely to lose his appeal.
Indeed, Burfict’s actions on Sunday, combined with his 13 suspensions and fines across seven seasons with the Bengals, make this a tricky case for the veteran and his reps. It’s also worth noting that Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks – who upheld Burfict’s three-game suspension in 2016 after his controversial hit on Antonio Brown – will be presiding over the hearing.
If the 12-game suspension stands, it will go down as the longest one ever levied for an on-field incident.
Looks like a duck, walks like a duck, sounds like a duck. Why is this a surprise?
Been his MO since AZ State.
Burfict is a dirty player, has been since college. He obviously doesn’t get it, and doesn’t want to make the changes he needs to protect himself and his opponents. Good riddance!
He’s a jerk, but the NFL really doesn’t care about player safety. How many players play with known injuries? I mean Chubb blew his ACL and Denver sent him back in just last week. Cam clearly was playing poorly due to some injury. The lists goes on every week. So much so, that PFT actually has a weekly article INJURY REPORT.
How is it Luck was so worn-out by injuries & rehab; yet the Colts medical staff cleared him to play week 1?
There’s a difference between wear and tear from playing the game and senseless violent hits like Burfict makes though, too. I agree that the NFL seems to say they care more about player safety than they actually do. But what this guy does rises to a bit of a different level than injuries that occur more naturally in a game.
Can’t argue with you. It was a dirty hit. And he has plenty more on his resume. But why let a guy with multiple years of dirty hits continue to play? Nothing more than postering from the league.
My guess would be, IF the suspension stays intact, that it’s the last step before permanently banning him from the league. I doubt they could have “gotten away with” a lifetime ban, even considering his history, without this one last massive penalty. If it holds and if he plays again and if he gets disciplined again, he’ll be gone for good.
Again, strictly my opinion.
The NFL front office, and Team’s coaching staffs, are different things.
Go ahead NFL, make him your scapegoat for ‘player safety’. Thanks for letting everyone know that it takes 45 suspensions, millions of dollars in fines, and a super PC crowd to get banned from the NFL Some of it not even noticed by your refs. Precedent set.
If he wishes to play again, he’ll likely have to take anger management courses, seek psychological help, and show he is a changed man. That will be enough for the NFLPA to get behind him, and that may earn him a last chance with a team on a “Prove It” contract.
Course Instructor: “I’m so @#$% tired of having to deal with these NFL idiots who can’t manage their anger as well as I can…SERENITY NOW!”
no daily AB stories so its daily Vontaze stories now?
Looks like. Hey, it’s all clickbait
Anyone notice the safety went helmet to helmet on the same play?
Why is this c*nt still in the league?