The Oakland Raiders’ Vontaze Burfict was suspended for the season Monday after his cheap shot on the Indianapolis Colts’ Jack Doyle Sunday. Another in a series of incidents that have been a major part of the the linebacker’s life and career.
High school
The questionable play started as early as high school. In a huge California game, Burfict went after the knee of star QB Matt Barkley. “He’s a dirty player,” Barkley told the LA Times in 2011, basing his opinion on what he suggests were efforts by the linebacker to injure him by diving at his knees during a high school game. “His switch is always on. And it’s not a good switch.”
Arizona State
Burfict pushed the umpire as a freshman at Arizona State when he saw movement on the Georgia line. A flag was thrown but picked up. The above photo shows Burfict continuing his battle with Matt Barkley, which started in high school. Burfict entered the 2012 NFL Draft after his junior season, finishing his collegiate career with 22 personal fouls in 37 games with the Sun Devils. He had first-round talent but was not chosen because of his reckless play and mindset.
Bengals-Packers (2013, 1)
Burfict receives a $10,000 fine after a low blow on the Green Bay Packers’ Ryan Taylor. Burfict also receives a $21,000 fine in the same game for a hit on James Jones that drew a flag because the Packers receiver was deemed defenseless.
Bengals-Bills (2013, 2)
Burfict is flagged for three 15-yard penalties against the Bills. He is hit with a $7,875 fine for a facemask on running back Fred Jackson.
Bengals-Jets (2013, 3)
Burfict gets a $21,000 fine a month later when he spears New York Jets wide receiver Stephen Hill. His fine total in 2013 rises to $59,875.
Bengals-Olsen (2014)
Burfict is fined $25,000 for twisting the ankles of both Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and Panthers tight end Greg Olsen in 2014. “In instances like that that are so clearly premeditated, that he had in his mind that if he had those opportunities that he was going to try to attack guys’ legs, but guys who are coming off ankle problems specifically, there’s no room for it,” Olsen told the Charlotte Observer that year.
Le’Veon Bell and Steelers (2015, 1)
A Burfict tackle on Le’Veon Bell in a midseason game costs the star running back the rest of the season with a knee injury. It was the one of many instances between Burfict and the Steelers.
Steelers (2015, 2)
Burfict is fined for three separate plays — two unnecessary roughness penalties and a hit low on Ben Roethlisberger — totaling $69,454. Burfict appeared to dive at the quarterback’s knees on one play, although the linebacker said he was pushed.
Steelers (2015, 3)
The game was in 2016 but it was a playoff from the 2015 season. The hit comes at the 6:30 mark in the video. It happens after Burfict made what looked like a game-saving pick only to have the Bengals fumble and give the ball back to Pittsburgh.
Burfict-Blount
After sitting out the first three games of the 2016 season, Burfict is fined $75,000 for stomping on New England Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount.
Burfict-Bills fans
Burfict is fined $12,154 for showing middle fingers to Bills fans during a 2016 games.
Preseason vs. Chiefs 2017
In Cincinnati’s second preseason game, Burfict tackles Chiefs fullback Anthony Sherman with a big hit while he was running a passing route. The league has a new rule against this, and Burfict is suspended five games, but has the punishment reduced to three games after an appeal.
Titans (2017)
Burfict is ejected from a game against the Titans for contact with an official. He walks off the field holding up the money.
Offseason 2018
Burfict receives a four-game suspension for reportedly violating the NFL’s performance enhancing drug policy.
More issues with Pittsburgh
This time Burfict gets into it by refusing to shake hands during the coin toss.
The total
This is what Jack Doyle said about the hit that ended Burfict’s season, pending an appeal: “I just got tackled. I’m sure it looked worse than it was. I didn’t really feel anything from it. My helmet protected me.”
