Vontaze Burfict will not be seen on an NFL football field again this season.
The NFL announced Monday the Oakland Raiders linebacker has been suspended without pay for the remainder of the season for repeated violations of rules against unnecessary roughness.
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His most recent incident occurred Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts when he lowered his head to deliver a shot to Jack Doyle’s helmet.
Vontaze Burfict of the #Raiders has been suspended for the rest of the 2019 season (including the postseason) for repeatedly violating the NFL's unnecessary roughness rules.
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) September 30, 2019
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"There were no mitigating circumstances on this play,” league vice president of football operations Jon Runyan wrote in a letter to Burfict regarding his suspension. “Your contact was unnecessary, flagrant and should have been avoided. For your actions, you were penalized and disqualified from the game.”
The letter, a portion of which was sent by the NFL to league media, goes on to review the fact Burfict was warned for previous incidents during his seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals that also drew fines and suspensions.
“However, you have continued to flagrantly abuse rules designated to protect yourself and your opponents from unnecessary risk. Your extensive history of rules violations is factored into this decision regarding accountability measures.”
Burfict may appeal the decision within three business days.
