NFL VP Jon Runyan: “There were no mitigating circumstances on this play. Your contact was unnecessary, flagrant and should have been avoided...You have continued to flagrantly abuse rules designated to protect yourself and your opponents from unnecessary risk.”
One of the most detested players in the NFL could be nearing the crossroads of his football career, as controversial Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict has been suspended by the NFL for the rest of the season for his brutal helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle.
Burfict, a 29-year-old who was undrafted out of Arizona State, is widely recognized for his infamous hit to Antonio Brown’s head in the 2015 AFC Wild Card game versus the Steelers that knocked Brown unconscious. Burfict was suspended 4 games for that hit.
He was then was suspended another 4 games for a dirty hit on Anthony Sherman in 2017, then was docked another four games in 2018 stemming from a performance enhancing drug suspension.
According to Chris Mortensen, Burfict’s suspension, which will be 12 regular seasons and any playoff games as well, is the longest suspension in league history for an ‘on-field’ act, surpassing former DT Albert Haynesworth's five games, for stomping a Cowboys’ players’ face.
Burfict has missed 22 games in his career from suspensions and has totaled fines over $5 million.