On Monday, Burfict was suspended for the first three games of the 2016 season for “repeated violations of player safety rules”, including his concussion-causing hit on Antonio Brown. “I’ve seen him hit guys a lot worse where you might be sticking your elbow out to get contract”. That probably means little to the Steelers one way or another, because they’re still in playoffs and Pacman isn’t. Brown caught a pass and was facing away from Burfict, who hit him in the head.
Burfict has three days to file an appeal.
As for Brown, he’s reportedly in the NFL’s concussion protocol, and is unlikely to play this weekend against Denver.
Burfict had previously been fined for safety-related violations four times in 2015, including a $50,000 fine for brutal hit on Baltimore tight end Maxx Williams, who was out of the play during a Week 17 game.
Marshall: “Did (Brown) really wink at you?”
“Unfortunately, we earned some reputations, and we have to eliminate that by continuing to play well within the rules, the way he plays”, Lewis said. The NFL also stated that they are reviewing the conduct of other players and coaches from the Steelers-Bengals game for potential discipline.
The irony on Saturday is Burfict would have been a game hero had it not been for the late penalty.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has torn ligaments and a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder, he told local radio station KDKA-FM in his regular Tuesday morning appearance. “Personally, I don’t think it is because I don’t think you can get out of the way fast enough”, Harrison said on NFL Network following the game, per Will Brinson of CBS Sports. His replacement, Landry Jones, threw an interception before Roethlisberger returned to the fray, leading his team to a game-winning field goal helped by two penalties from the Bengals.
After the Bengals were penalized 30 yards on the play, Chris Boswell’s 35-yard kick gave Pittsburgh the win with 14 seconds remaining.