The NFL has come down about as hard as it possibly could on Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict, as expected.
Burfict has been suspended for the remainder of the 2019 season after his head shot on Colts tight end Jack Doyle. In a statement announcing the suspension, NFL vice president of football operations Jon Runyan said there were “no mitigating circumstances” involved in the play, and added that Burfict had been repeatedly warned of escalating consequences after previous incidents. The statement concludes by accusing Burfict of continuing to “flagrantly abuse rules” meant to keep him and his fellow players safe.
Vontaze Burfict suspended for remainder of 2019 season for violations of unnecessary roughness rules. pic.twitter.com/oSMl2iSRNW
— Michael Signora (@NFLfootballinfo) September 30, 2019
Burfict plans to appeal, per Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
Vontaze Burfict will appeal, per his agent Lamont Smith. Traditionally, the hearings have been on Tuesdays. https://t.co/YtuoSZqWA3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 30, 2019
One of Burfict’s teammates will be furious with this punishment, but it’s deserved. This is hardly a first-time offender doing something stupid. Burfict has repeatedly run afoul of the rules and refuses to clean up his act. The league was left with little choice, though he will see if he can get the ban reduced.
