Vontaze Burfict is not your ideal football player. From a skills standpoint, Burfict has always been on top of his class of linebackers. But his issues staying level-headed both on and off the field have kept Burfict from being respected as an elite player that he is on the gridiron.
The 6'1" Centennial High School (Ca.) standout was a five-star recruit and ranked as the top middle linebacker by both ESPN and Rivals during his senior season. He originally committed to play for USC, but switched to Arizona State on signing day, something that is often frowned upon in the world of recruiting. He hardly qualified to meet NCAA eligibility standards before joining the Sun Devils in 2009. Nonetheless, by the end of the year he was named the Pac-10 Conference Defensive Freshman of the Year, and was named as a Freshman All-American. His talent won out in that season.
But during his sophomore season, Burfict was benched for his "unusually high number of personal foul penalties." He later finished the season as an All-American and with a team lead in tackles. In his final 26 college games, he was tabbed with 16 personal fouls, and when he entered the NFL Draft, teams were concerned of his anger issues and controlling his emotions on the field.
That, mixed with an ultimately underwhelming NFL Combine where he told many teams that he had smoked marijuana, failed the drug test, didn't help his draft prowess. He ran a 5.09 second 40-yard dash (the lowest of any linebacker in the combine), came in heavier than expected, and benched 225 pounds only 16 times. His broad jump and vertical jump were among the worst in comparison to the other linebackers.
There were plenty of red flags for NFL teams, and it caused him to plummet in March's draft. He fell from an elite prospect that was expected to go in the first round to completely undrafted. He's been a star for the Bengals on the field since being signed after the draft, but in his third season in the NFL, he's still leaving people baffled by his pure stupidity on the field.
On Sunday, in a 37-37 tie with the Carolina Panthers, Burfict first was flagged for roughing the passer on Cam Newton in the first quarter. Then, after Newton's third quarter rushing touchdown, Burfict was caught on film blatantly twisting Newton's ankle, using the force of his body to try to injure him. The GIF of that is below.
Newton clearly felt the twist, and wasn't happy about it, as he turned around immediately after and attempted to get Burfict's attention by kicking his helmet. But Burfict's aggression wasn't done. Later, in the fourth quarter after Greg Olsen's go-ahead touchdown with 4:51 to go, Burfict grabbed the tight end's left leg and used his body to attempt what looks like a wrestling move. His intent, again, was clearly malicious.
Obviously emotions were high in a game like this, which went back-and-forth, especially late in regulation, where it ended up at 34-34.
It is clear that Burfict has become better with his temper and blatant personal fouls during his tenure with the Bengals. In fact, he was the first to rush to Panthers linebacker and friend Luke Kuechly's side when he went down with a mild injury in the third quarter, beating teammates and trainers to the spot Kuechly was down at. But in a sport that is already being toned down during actual play, there's no excuse for Burfict's actions after the whistle.
Talking a storm after the play, or even physical aggression that goes both ways, is one thing. That's football, and it's passion. But attempting to injure a fellow player with malicious intent has, unconditionally, no place in the NFL.
The NFL hasn't announced the review of either of these plays, but it should. Simply, Burfict has to be punished, financially, and maybe even suspended for his actions. It wasn't just a dirty hit to the head in the heat of the moment; it was a blatant attempt to injure another player. As for the Bengals, who have crowned Burfict as a captain for the defensive side of the ball, have to rethink tabbing him as the voice and face of their defense after make boneheaded mistakes such as this.
Something has to be done, and hopefully the NFL or the Bengals won't leave it in the dark, and take action before the Bengals take on the Colts next Sunday.
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Edit: After the posting of this article, it was brought to my attention that the ankle which Burfict attempted to injure was the same one that Newton had surgery on this offseason. Any other developments on this situation will be posted here.
Panthers kicker Graham Gano tweeted about Burfict's actions after the game. He didn't have nice things to say.
Unbelievable that a player would intentionally try to hurt my teammates twice. I hope the NFL lays down the law hard. #Unacceptable
— Graham Gano (@GrahamGano) October 13, 2014
