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Cincinnati Bengals’ linebacker Vontaze Burfict has quite the sordid past when it comes to infractions during his NFL career. He has been suspended several times for plays both during, and after, the play.
The most recent infractions came in the Week 6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers when the league fined Burfict over $100 thousand dollars for elbowing Antonio Brown in the head while defenseless, and going head-to-head on running back James Conner.
Steelers fans, and many others, are growing tired of Burfict’s antics and wanted the league to come down hard on the talented, yet troubled, linebacker. Former Cleveland Browns tackle Joe Thomas even suggested a year-long ban for his behavior.
The league decided on a hefty fine instead, although fines have done little to alter Burfict’s play on the field, but they did send a warning with the latest letter notifying Burfict of the loss of money in his weekly check.
This per the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport:
More coming on this topic for @NFLGameDay, but #Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict was informed via letter that the next similar action to his fined offenses from last week will warrant a suspension, sources say. Burfict was fined $112K this week for 2 hits.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2018
So, to recap, the NFL has told Burfict his repeated behavior won’t be tolerated any longer. Thanks to this latest punishment, Burfict has brought the total amount of money he has lost to fine or suspension to a staggering $4,158,408. His complete list of fines and suspensions so far based on data from Spotrac.com. Losing over $4 million dollars hasn’t deterred Burfict’s behavior, but the league feels this latest fine, and warning, will certainly do the trick.
From @NFLGameDay: #Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict's next similar action to last week will result in suspension for a player the league office has spent countless hours with to try to get him to adjust his play. pic.twitter.com/ZWtbx9k0NU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 21, 2018
Albert Einstein once said doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result is the definition of insanity.
I couldn’t agree more.