By the numbers: Burfict suspension and NFL history
The NFL upheld the three-game suspension issued for repeated player-safety violations by Vontaze Burfict following his illegal hit on Antonio Brown in the Bengals’ playoff loss.
Most of the multi-game suspensions set forth by the league in recent years relate to substance-abuse or performance-enhancing drugs violations.
Vontaze Burfict suspension upheld
The recent history of league suspensions strictly for on-field behavior isn't a lengthy one.
Here's a look at all the suspensions by the league strictly for violations which occurred during games in the last five years.
2015
- Aqib Talib, Denver: One game — eye poke
- Odell Beckham, New York Giants: One game — unsportsmanlike conduct against Josh Norman
- Vontaze Burfict, Cincinnati: Three games — repeated violations of player-safety rules
2014
- Dominic Raiola, Indianapolis: One game — stomping on Chicago’s Ego Ferguson
- Brandon Meriweather, Washington: Two games — illegal hit on Torrey Smith
2013
- Michael Griffin, Tennessee: One game — repeat offender hits to head
- Dashon Goldson, Tampa Bay: One game — player-safety policy violation on Roddy White
- Erik Walden, Indianapolis: One game — head butt Delanie Walker
- Brandon Meriweather, Washington: One game — unnecessary roughness vs Chicago
- Antonio Smith, Houston: One game — fighting with Richie Incognito
2012
- Joe Mays, Denver: One game — illegal hit on Matt Schaub
2011
- James Harrison, Pittsburgh: One game — illegal hit on quarterback
- Ndamukong Suh, Detroit: Two games — stomping on Evan Dietrich-Smith
Vontaze Burfict abuses camera during first quarter
The largest suspension for on-field behavior by the league came in 2006 when Albert Haynesworth, then of Tennessee, stomped on the face of Dallas offensive lineman Andre Gurode, forcing him to need 30 stitches. He received a five game suspension for that. Since then, no on-field suspension topped two games. Tom Brady was suspended four games by the league in the Deflate-Gate scandal, but that was later overturned. Also, multiple Saints players were implicated in Bounty-Gate but those were later overturned as well.
As for reasons Burfict is considered a repeat offender, there are plenty. Burfict ranks among the most fined players in the league since his arrival in 2012. With this suspension, which will take away three game checks equalling $534K, he’ll have seven separate fines over the course of three seasons.
Here’s the complete list of fines incurred by Burfict during his 50-game career.
Week 3, 2013: $10K — striking Packers’ Ryan Taylor in the groin
Week 3, 2013: $21K — hit on defenseless player, Packers’ James Jones
Week 8, 2013: $21K — spearing New York Jets’ WR Stephen Hill
Week 6, 2014: $25K — ankle twisting Cam Newton and Greg Olsen
Week 13, 2015: $69.4K — three separate unsportsmanlike incidents vs. Steelers
Week 17, 2015: $50K — hit to defenseless tight end Maxx Williams away from play
Wildcard Playoffs, 2016: Three-game suspension — hit on Antonio Brown