NFL Suspends Raiders’ Vontaze Burfict For Rest Of Season After Latest Dirty Hit
UPDATE (11:44 a.m. ET): Vontaze Burfict officially has been suspended for the remainder of the 2019 NFL season.
Here is the official announcement on #Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict, who is suspended without pay for the rest of 2019. Jon Runyan wrote: “There were no mitigating circumstances on this play.” pic.twitter.com/DdoXyTb5ax
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2019
ORIGINAL STORY: It might be a long time before we see Vontaze Burfict on a football field again.
The Oakland Raiders linebacker was ejected from Sunday’s game against Colts after delivering a vicious head-to-head hit on Jack Doyle. The Indianapolis tight did not appear to be injured and remained in the game.
As for the oft-suspended Burfict, he is facing a season-long ban for the hit, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.
Check out this tweet:
Vontaze Burfict is facing a season-long suspension for his late conduct on field, per source.
— Chris Mortensen (@mortreport) September 30, 2019
That would represent the strictest discipline yet for Burfict, who received multiple fines and three suspensions during his seven-year run with the Cincinnati Bengals.
In fact, the reported season-long suspension would be a first in NFL history, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
If Vontaze Burfict is suspended for rest of season, as @mortreport reports, it would be the longest suspension for an on-field act in NFL history.
Albert Haynesworth was suspended five games for kicking, then stomping on Cowboys’ C Andre Gurode’s face. Gurode needed 30 stitches.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 30, 2019
Is a season-long suspension a bit harsh? Absolutely.
However, Burfict has nobody to blame but himself for the position he’s in.
