After the Steelers vs. Bengals game in Week 7, many thought the NFL would come down on linebacker Vontaze Burfict with an iron fist for kicking fullback Roosevelt Nix in the face after the play.
After all, Burfict had already been suspended, twice, by the NFL for questionable hits which were deemed dangerous in a time when the league is focused on player safety and preventing brain/head injuries.
Nonetheless, just a few days before Week 8, news was released stating Burfict was fined, not suspended, for his actions at Heinz Field last Sunday.
#Bengals LB Vontaze Burfict was fined $12,154 for unsportsmanlike conduct for kicking #Steelers FB Roosevelt Nix
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 27, 2017
At this point, behavior like this is expected from Burfict, but I’m not sure what is more surprising in this scenario: the fact the play wasn’t flagged during the game, or how Burfict seems to get just another slap on the wrist after a very Burfict play.
Thankfully, Nix, or any other Steelers, weren’t injured during the game, and the two parties will go their separate ways until they meet in December in Cincinnati.