The NFL is upholding its decision to suspend Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict for the remainder of the season without pay, the league announced Wednesday.
Burfict hit Colts tight end Jack Doyle helmet-to-helmet in the Week 5 Oakland win.
“There were no mitigating circumstances on this play,” the NFL said in a statement. “Your contact was unnecessary, flagrant and should have been avoided.”
Burfict has a deep and consistent history of being fined or disciplined by the league for predatory play. He was fined $25,000 in 2014 for twisting the ankles of Panthers stars quarterback Cam Newton and tight end Greg Olsen. In January 2016, Burfict was suspended three games for repeated violations of player safety rules. A blindside block in the 2017 preseason lead the NFL to suspend Burfict five games to start that season. Last season, he was suspended for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug Policy.
