The NFL has decided how it will punish Bengals linebacker Vontaze Burfict for his actions Sunday against the Steelers.
According to Ian Rapoport, the NFL is handing Burfict a hefty fine, but no suspension following the Bengals vs. Steelers Week 6, 2018 game:
Source: #Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict was fined $112,000 for multiple plays that constituted unnecessary roughness in Week 6 game against Pittsburgh, including the plays involving the Steelers’ Antonio Brown (11:19 in 3rd quarter) and James Conner (5:17 in 3rd quarter).
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 20, 2018
416K in fines alone, although I’m sure he got some of it back through appeals. https://t.co/AjgWxQXZuI
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) October 20, 2018
The big play in question from Sunday was Burfict’s hit to the helmet of Antonio Brown in the first half:
This is the shot Vontaze Burfict delivered on Antonio Brown early in the third quarter that's being questioned: https://t.co/RcoVlVmBtl pic.twitter.com/owwgib2cuV
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 15, 2018
Here’s another of the plays expected to have cost Burfict:
This is the second referenced unnecessary roughness play (that I could see) on #Bengals Burfict -- hit on James Conner with 5:17 remaining in the third. https://t.co/LRh2cqeEn1 pic.twitter.com/qpRF2uPPL2
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) October 20, 2018
While Burfict connected his shoulder with Brown on the first play above, he did lead with his helmet. The NFL is rightfully trying to steer the game away from these hits, which is a big reason why he’s being fined six figures, $112,000 today, which is part of more than $400,000 that Burfict has been fined over the years.
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger claimed Burfict singled out wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after the hit on Brown.
“He hits (Brown), then, literally, as I am under center for the next play, he points at JuJu and says, ‘You’re next,’” Roethlisberger told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “How do you allow that stuff?”
Smith-Schuster was actually suspended by the NFL for one game last year for his illegal hit on Burfict in the Week 13 matchup. Part of why the NFL suspended Smith-Schuster was he also stood over Burfict and taunted him after the big hit while Burfict was concussed on the ground.
All in all, this is actually good news for Burfict, who was probably close to being suspended given his history of violations, but all he’ll get is a fine. That means he’s good to go for Sunday night’s matchup with the Chiefs.
Vontaze Burfict fine and suspension history
DATE | SUSPENSION | FORFEITED | REASON |
---|---|---|---|
DATE | SUSPENSION | FORFEITED | REASON |
10.20.2018 | -- | $112,000 | Unnecessary roughness vs. Steelers |
3.16.2018 | Four-game suspension | $1,839,362 | PEDs |
10.27.2017 | -- | $12,154 | Kicking Roosevelt Nix |
8.28.2017 | Three-game suspension (after appeal) | $1,400,469 | 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 | 10 games | $4,150,534 | -- |
UPDATE: Ian Rapoport added that Burfict will appeal his fine and that the Bengals are “furious.” Additionally, Burfict has been warned that further actions of this nature will result in a suspension and Mike Brown is not happy with the NFL as a result.