The NFL has suspended Vontaze Burfict for the remainder of the 2019 season for his helmet-to-helmet hit on Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle, and Derek Carr is among the Oakland Raiders players who feel the punishment was far too harsh.
While speaking with reporters from London on Wednesday, Carr called Burfict a “great guy” and said he is one of the most misunderstood players in the NFL. The quarterback also said the 12-game suspension is unfair.
Carr said Vontaze Burfict “is one of the most misunderstood people in the NFL. He is a great guy. … I don’t think the suspension is fair. … His heart is broken.” #Raiders
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) October 2, 2019
Raiders linebacker Tahir Whitehead, who already ripped the NFL for the harsh discipline against Burfict, said it is “frustrating” for him to see Burfict get a season-long suspension with how hard he has worked to shed his reputation for being a dirty player.
Whitehead on the Burfict suspension pic.twitter.com/OEM61Kc36s
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) October 2, 2019
Burfict’s suspension may be reduced upon appeal, but the NFL wanted to send a message. His brutal hit on Doyle was just the latest of several dirty plays we have seen from the linebacker, and he has already been suspended for four games on two separate occasions for unnecessary roughness. You can understand why Burfict’s teammates feel sorry for him, but the league made the right decision.
