Raiders LB Vontaze Burfict's Appeal of Season-Long Suspension Denied
By Michael Luciano
Despite the best efforts of quarterback Derek Carr and head coach Jon Gruden, Oakland Raiders linebacker Vontaze Burfict will not play another down in the NFL in 2019.
The controversial linebacker, who has racked up more than $5 million in fines over his career, was initially suspended for the entire season after lowering his head and slamming directly into the helmet of Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle. The league has denied his appeal and sustain his season-long suspension.
Vontaze Burfict remains suspended for the rest of the season. Suspension upheld. https://t.co/f97VtQDTc5
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 9, 2019
Burfict hasn't changed his playing style one iota since he left the Cincinnati Bengals.
What he did to Doyle and countless others goes beyond "hard-nosed football," as it looks like he is deliberately trying to injure players on the field. The league has tried suspending him and fining him in the past, but neither method proved to be an effective deterrent. Maybe this will get him to change his tune.
?BREAKING?
— Unfinished Business (@FinishTheBiz) September 30, 2019
Vontaze Burfict has been suspended for the rest of the 2019 season for this hit on Colts TE Jack Doyle. pic.twitter.com/eHdtuXobyU
The hit on Doyle wasn't even the only illegal and dangerous hit produced by Burfict in that game, so it's really no surprise that the league denied his appeal.