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The Cincinnati Bengals are anxiously awaiting news on Vontaze Burfict after the NFL handed down a five-game suspension to the linebacker.
Burfict told his case to appeals officer James Thrash on Tuesday and according to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, a source said Burfict presented “a very good case” and that there will hopefully be a decision made within the next 48 hours.
#Burfict Update: I'm told feeling is that "a very good case" was presented to appeals officer James Thrash. Hope* is for a decision in 48hs.
— Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) August 30, 2017
The suspension was triggered by what the NFL claimed was an illegal hit on Kansas City Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman in Week 2 of the preseason.
Here are a bunch of different views of the suspension-inducing play.
This is the hit that the NFL is suspending Vontaze Burfict 5 games for. pic.twitter.com/Xiyab0kdrC
— NFL Update (@MySportsUpdate) August 28, 2017
Burfict was suspended for Weeks 1-3 of the 2016 NFL season due to repeated violations of the NFL’s safety rules. He has also been fined numerous times due to his on-field actions and breaking the league’s safety rules. Because he’s a repeat offender, the suspension this time around was increased from the first suspension (three games), up to five games this time around.
Vontaze Burfict Fine & Suspension History
| DATE | SUSPENSION | FORFEITED | REASON |
|---|---|---|---|
| DATE | SUSPENSION | FORFEITED | REASON |
| 10.27.2017 | -- | $12,154 | Kicking Roosevelt Nix |
| 8.28.2017 | Three-game suspension (after appeal) | $1,770,975 | Illegal hit against Anthony Sherman |
| 11.25.2016 | -- | $12,154 | Unsportsmanlike conduct |
| 10.19.2016 | -- | $75,000 | Unsportsmanlike conduct |
| 4.1.2016 | Three-game suspension | $502,941 | Hit on a defenseless receiver (Antonio Brown) |
| 1.11.2016 | -- | $50,000 | Late hit |
| 12.18.2016 | -- | $69,454 | Multiple unsportsmanlike conducts |
| 10.15.2014 | -- | $25,000 | Ankle-twist on Cam Newton and Greg Olsen |
| 11.1.2013 | -- | $21,000 | Spearing |
| 9.27.2013 | -- | $21,000 | Hit on a defenseless receiver (James Jones) |
| 9.27.2013 | -- | $10,000 | Striking player in the groin |
| Total | Six games | $2,569,678 | -- |
Hopefully, Thrash will agree with the Bengals and Burfict that this hit was not illegal hit and that it should not cause the linebacker to be suspended for the first five games of the 2017 NFL season.